Скачать или смотреть Rep. April Connors: Our schools and our kids will suffer if Democrats increase property taxes

During the floor debate on the House Democrats' operating budget proposal, which includes $15 billion in new taxes, including property tax hikes, Rep. Travis Couture introduced an amendment to remove the assumed revenues from the property tax hikes in HB 2049 and redirect that funding to additional support for K-12 education, materials, supplies, and operating costs.

Rep. April Connors spoke in favor of the amendment, highlighting the impact of rising property taxes on Washington residents. She pointed out that increasing property taxes could discourage people from spending money, including on school levies, which could harm education funding. Connors referenced the difficulty in passing a school levy in Kennewick, where it took three attempts over the last year and a half, and warned that further property tax hikes could lead to failed school bonds and levies. She urged lawmakers to vote yes on the amendment, stressing that failure to do so would result in significant harm to schools and children across the state.

House Democrats rejected the amendment.

Full remarks:

"I wanted to hit on a point that I don't think was hit on when we're talking about schools and property taxes that we're talking about in this amendment.

And yes, property taxes have gone up, and we've heard it a lot tonight, 50%, I've been looking tonight as this conversation's been coming about. But I also want to say, when property taxes go up, people kind of want to not spend money anymore.

And do you know where they don't want to spend money anymore, Mr. Speaker? On schools.

Do you know how many times it took Kennewick to pass the school levy this last year and a half? Three times.

So, if we go after the people of the state of Washington and say we're going to continue to increase your property taxes, I can guess what's going to happen to school levies, and I can guess what's going to happen to school bonds. They're not going to happen.

I'm encouraging that we vote yes on this amendment today because, if we don't, our schools and our kids are going to absolutely suffer."