(The Center Square) – Legislation that would have given cities and counties across Washington state the ability to raise property taxes at a rate of 3%, instead of the current 1% limit, has died.
Majority party Democrats said Friday afternoon that Senate Bill 5770 will not be moving forward.
Feedback from constituents was heard during a Thursday press conference held by Republicans that included members of the business community expressing opposition to the bill.
“This is a win for the people of Washington,” Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, said in a news release. “Senate Bill 5770 could have resulted in the largest property tax increase in our state’s history – without a vote of the people.”
The Republican leader in the Senate went on to say, “This bill is overwhelmingly unpopular. People can’t afford a 3% annual increase in their property taxes. And renters can’t afford another tax that could push them out on the street. I’d like to think Democrats are starting to listen to people’s very real concerns.”
This is a developing story.
