Washington lawmakers hope to deliver property tax relief with constitutional amendments

Rep. Michelle Caldier (R-Gig Harbor) and Sen. Drew MacEwen (R-Shelton) have pushed forward constitutional amendments in the Washington State Senate and House to provide property tax relief to Washington residents.

Caldier and MacEwen say that Senate Joint Resolution 8205 and House Joint Resolution 4207 are designed to establish a “homestead” property tax exemption for the first $250,000 of a property’s assessed value.

Passed by voters in 2001, the current law limits annual property tax increases to 1% without voter approval. However, some lawmakers are allegedly pushing to remove this cap to support higher government spending.

A proposed exemption could make property tax increases more progressive, benefiting lower-valued properties. If passed by a two-thirds majority, their proposal would appear on the November ballot for voter approval.

Tax relief amendments could shield middle-class families

MacEwen has argued that raising property taxes would exacerbate the housing crisis and hurt middle- and low-income families, potentially forcing them out of their homes.

“Washington is in the middle of a housing crisis. Raising property taxes would make the affordability crisis in our state even worse,” MacEwen said. “Lifting or eliminating the 1% cap on annual growth of property-tax rates not only goes against the will of the voters, it is downright cruel and could do more to force middle- and low-income taxpayers out of their homes.”

Caldier and MacEwen added that their plan would offer an alternative to proposed property tax hikes backed by Democratic majorities, which lawmakers say could worsen the state’s affordability crisis.