OLYMPIA…A measure sponsored by state Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, to require a public vote before an area can be annexed to a city has been assigned to the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee as Senate Bill 6521.

“My bill provides a method for property owners in the area proposed for annexation to submit the measure for voter approval,” Benton said. “If a petition to put the question on the ballot is signed by 10 percent of the affected property owners, there must be a public vote of all residents in the area.”

A move to annex more land to the city of Vancouver is underway and Benton’s bill will protect property owners who don’t want to be annexed into the city, which often amounts to more taxes, more regulations and no additional services.

Since incorporation in 1857, Vancouver has annexed land 130 times. The first six times were approved by registered voters in the proposed annexation areas. Laws have changed since then, making it much easier to annex without voter approval, resulting in 124 more annexations.

“Landowners should have the right to make a choice about whether or not they want their land to become part of a city,” Benton said. “Annexation decisions have been moving in the wrong direction. It’s time to go back to the people and give them a say in the process.”

Benton has represented the area slated for annexation since his election to the Legislature in 1994. For more information about Vancouver’s annexation history, visit: http://www.ci.vancouver.wa.us and click on “Building, Planning & Environment” and then click on “Annexation.”

For more information contact: Penny Drost at 360-786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov