November 8, 2007

OLYMPIA…State Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, called today’s Washington Supreme Court ruling against Initiative 747 a dark day for homeowners.  

I-747 has been holding the state and local governments to a 1 percent limit on property tax collections over the prior year without a vote of the people. 

Benton introduced a bill during the 2007 legislative session to preserve the I-747 limit should the court throw it out. The measure, SB 5001, was never given a hearing by the chair of the Senate Government Operations and Elections Committee. Benton’s bill is still alive for the 2008 session. 

“This whole case was built on a ridiculous call by a King County judge who said voters had been misled when they passed I-747 in 2001,” Benton said. “Nobody was misled, just look at the results of this past Tuesday’s election. The mood of the people is clear; enough is enough when it comes to taxes. 

“On Tuesday, voters in the Puget Sound region rejected a huge roads and transit tax hike. Voters statewide said it should be harder for lawmakers to raise taxes in the future; affirmed the 60 percent requirement to pass school levies; and approved a constitutionally-protected savings account,” Benton added. 

Benton also sponsored a bill in 2000 to preserve the repeal of the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) when Initiative 695 was ruled unconstitutional. He pushed hard to protect the voice of the people and the measure was approved and signed into law. 

“After the fiscally irresponsible spending pushed through last session by the Democrat majority in the Legislature and with the fate of I-747 still up in the air, I am not at all surprised by Tuesday’s vote,” Benton said.  

“My bill to preserve the I-747 limit deserves a public hearing and a vote. Voters approved I-747 with a 58 percent ‘yes’ vote. Combine that with Tuesday’s election results and the message is very, very clear. I hope my fellow lawmakers are listening.”

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Additional contact Penny Drost at (360) 786-7522
or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov