Help lobby House Finance Committee

Permanent Defense needs your help in lobbying the members of the House Finance Committee to support HB 1744 - the Homestead Exemption, a proposal which would provide tax relief for middle and lower income households.

They've set up a form here where you can send an email to all the members of the House Finance Committee. Just enter in your name, email address, and a message of support for the homestead exemption.

Learn more about the Homestead Exemption at this useful webpage set up by Permanent Defense, which talks about HB 1744 and the impact on homeowners.

Here's a useful excerpt from the Seattle P-I, which last year published this as part of its editorial endorsing the Homestead Exemption:

The bill [now HB 1744], whose prime sponsors are Reps. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, and Toby Nixon, R-Kirkland, would deliver property tax relief to those who most need it by shifting the tax burden to the most expensive homes and non-residential property.

Because it is revenue-neutral, this progressive version of property tax relief would not come at the expense of state and local governments.

According to preliminary estimates, the property tax burden on the owner of a home valued at $150,000 to $200,000 would be cut by about 10 percent. Homeowners overall would see an average of 6 percent savings, with only those whose homes are valued at $500,000 or more realizing an increase, of about 4 percent.

Those top-end homeowners could likely soften even that small increase through a higher deduction on their federal income tax return.

Washington's tax system is deplorably regressive. Those earning less than $20,000 a year spend nearly 16 percent of their income on state and local taxes, while those earning more than $130,000 a year pay just over 4 percent.

By joining 37 states in offering some form of property tax homestead exemption, the Washington Legislature could provide not only tax relief but also a less-regressive tax system.

The hearing for HB 1744 is this Wednesday, February 16th, 2005, at 1:30 PM in the State Capitol's John O'Brien Building, House Hearing Room C. Please come and support the proposal if you are able.