Property tax increase would help house vets and seniors
The King County Council decided to put a proposed property tax increase before voters this November. The levy renews funding for veterans and now also, seniors.
Under the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy, homeowners would have to pay 10 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value. The money would pay for things like housing programs for veterans and seniors.
Some critics wanted a bigger levy.
Alison Eisinger is the executive director of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. She said people she’s talked to actually wanted to be taxed more in order to have more services.
“We also hear from many of those same people saying, ‘I’m a homeowner, I’m a taxpayer, I’m a renter,’” Eisinger said. “‘I know my rent will go up and I still want you to put this levy at 12 cents or more.’”
King County Councilmember Joe McDermott sponsored the legislation.
He initially pushed for a bigger tax —
“And I would’ve supported a larger levy to meet the expensive need,” McDermott said. “However, majority of the council wasn’t supportive of that.”
McDermott said there are more than 500,000 seniors in the county and that population is growing.
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Angela Nhi Nguyen
Reporter
Angela describes KUOW as her "radio womb." She started out in the station's youth program, RadioActive, and has continued to tell stories over the airwaves ever since. She currently is a mentor for RadioActive and also serves as a general assignment news reporter. Over the years, Angela has received awards for her work including a regional Edward R. Murrow Award, two PRNDIs, and a Korva Coleman Excellence Award. She was also part of NPR's Next Generation Radio Project. Angela worked at Northwest Public Radio for three years as an announcer/assistant producer for the local All Things Considered. She was a freelance reporter for Northwest News Network and even made it onto the national newscast a couple times as a teenager. She has one year left at Washington State University. Angela loves telling anecjokes (anecdotes with cheesy twists) and petting her cats that she's furry allergic to.
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