The beat goes on

Greetings
Well, it's been awhile since I've written anything but it's only because I've been pretty busy. However, there has been a lot going on.
First of all, I wrote a guest column for my local paper, the Peninsula Gateway, on the property tax issue. Below is a copy of that article:

( My wife and I have had the pleasure of living in the Gig Harbor area since 1975. Both of our children attended peninsula schools and currently have businesses here. We’re also blessed with six wonderful grandchildren.We built our home ourselves and we love our neighborhood. We have trees that we planted as seedlings that are now sixty feet tall. We have a tree house that our daughter played in when she was four years old, and now our grandchildren play there. This is not just a piece of dirt to us. This is our home. And now, in our supposed “golden years” we and many people we know are now facing the real possibility of being taxed out of our homes. And you could be next.

Our property taxes have gone up 400% in just the last five years. And there is absolutely nothing to prevent the same thing from happening over the next five years. Without a change in our property tax system , I believe that’s it’s only a matter of time until home ownership, long a part of the American dream, will only be available to the wealthiest of families.

Under current Washington law, all real property (with few exceptions) must be taxed at 100% of fair market value.. And to explain the basic unfairness of this system, I use the example of purchasing stock at 10$ per share If that stock rises to $100 per share, there is no tax paid on the $90 profit until the stock is sold. However if a person buys a home for $100,000 and that house rises to $500,000 in value, the property owner must pay tax on the $400,000 profit even though they don’t have that money in their pocket unless they sell their home. We’re being taxed for unrealized gains year after year. And we’re basically penalized for pride in home ownership. This is just wrong and totally unacceptable.

Please don’t think that this will change because of the legislature’s recent reinstatement of the1% cap on levy increases that fund our basic services .

I believe that what we desperately need is a system where we are only taxed on the purchase price of our homes plus a reasonable and predictable increase each year. Then we could actually budget for our property taxes which is impossible under our current system. Now we have the reinstatement of the 1% cap many wanted, but that is a separate issue from rising property assessments. This is what we need to change.

If you believe that paying tax on unrealized profit is unfair, you are not alone. And all the new “tax deferral” program really does is put a lien on your home. And to add to the insanity, you’re charged 7% interest for those deferred taxes. Wonderful. It will take an amendment to our state’s constitution to change our current property tax laws. They cannot be changed by the initiative process. Only our elected state representatives can make the changes we need, so please let them know how you feel.

I feel like now I must fight for my beloved home. And I will not quit until we have a reasonable, just and predictable property tax system in our state. I did not ask for this fight. Believe me, I would much rather spend time with my grandchildren than get involved in tax politics. It can be a nasty business . But I love my land. It’s my share of the American dream, and I will not let it be taxed away.. I have started a blog to provide a journal of these efforts at http://fightingoutofcontroltaxation.blogspot.com. And I will be attending a rally on January 14^th, on the capitol steps at 11:00 to keep this issue in front of our lawmakers. That is the opening day of the 2008 legislative session. It is being organized by Property Owners for Predictable Tax Now. For more information please go to www.predictabletax.com. This is a volunteer group of people who have been working on these issues for two years. We would love to see you there. It’s the American way.)

Writing this article was an interesting process in itself. I would hope that if anyone reads this blog, that they might consider contacting their local newspapers and either writing a letter to the editor or at least talk to the editors and let them know how you feel. It has a lot more impact than you realize.

After writing this article, I received several e-mails and phone calls, and if there was one common thread in my feedback, it's the fact that everyone who responded was either retired or about to be. And every person was truly concerned about losing their homes to our antiquated and bottomless property tax system.

I also recently met with my district's state senator, Derek Kilmer. Although I found Senator Kilmer to be a sincere and likable person, I have mixed feelings at this point . I will talk more about this meeting in my next post after I've had an opportunity to digest my frustrations.

To be cont'd , Pat

Meeting with my first legislator

Greetings-
Well, what a day. I finally had my first face to face meeting with one of our local legislators on the property tax issue. I met with Larry Seaquist from the 26th district who happens to be a democrat. I really had no idea what to expect, but I have to admit, I liked him.
I did learn one thing right off the bat though, and that was not to just throw out generalities without some facts to back them up. For example, the minute I said I believe there's a lot of waste in government, his immediate reply was "Where?" And I could not answer with specific facts. He showed me that there is still much work to do on my learning curve and also not to generalize without the information to back it up. I'll try not to let that happen again.
As I understood Mr. Seaquist, he's in favor of a system that would freeze our property valuations at the purchase price for tax purposes. But he also said that is just a part of the big picture. He also believes that we need major "tax reforms" in Washington state. But at this time, he did not get into any specifics. I look forward to speaking with him in the future.
I also believe that I learned another big lesson today. It's a lot easier to sit around with your friends and complain about "politicians" then it is to sit across from one and look them in the eye . I saw decent man , a retired navy man and someone who really cares deeply about the issues.
The problems we face today are so great that we absolutely must figure out how to get our politicians to somehow begin to "really put their heads together" to work for the public good. They could really get a lot done if they'd quit worrying so much about who gets re-elected. They could really get a lot done if they would stop worrying so much about who gets the credit.
As far as I can tell, the way our system works now, a Republican could have a terrific idea to solve a problem and the Democrats will attack it because it was a republican idea. And the reverse is also true if the person with the good idea is a Democrat. The madness must stop. The words that were said by president Abraham Lincoln many years ago still ring true today. " a house divided against itself cannot stand"
It's late, I'm tired and it's been a long day... more to come..Be well, Pat

It's getting interesting

Greetings-
This has truly been an interesting few days . So much has happened. I'm very encouraged about this property tax struggle. First of all the state legislature in a special session actually restored the basic tax limit on tax increases to the 1% that the voters passed by a large majority. Although this was a step in the right direction and can prevent taxing bodies from just going berserk, I still don't think our problems are solved for several reasons. For one thing, this new 1% cap does absolutely nothing to protect us from "banked capacity" which still allows local taxing bodies to raise taxes as much as 30% in some cases without any public input Also even though I am strongly against frivolous and irresponsible taxation, I personally wonder if 1% is enough to fund our necessary services.
Also as far as the new "tax deferral " goes, all it really does is put a lien on your property until you sell, and on top of that they have the unmitigated gall to charge 7% interest on those deferred taxes. Isn't that special? And most importantly of all, these changes do absolutely nothing to stop the out of control increases in assessed valuations that caused my property taxes to rise 400% in just five years.
Considering all this, a good question would be why am I so encouraged about the possibility of changes in our property tax system? There are actually several reasons;
1) First of all, EVERYONE that I talk to about property taxes is totally fed up with the brutal and draconian increases in their property tax each year. I believe that this public outrage, not only in our state, but all across the United States, has to proceed changes in our system.
2) I have also been fortunate enough to have already set up appointments to meet with 2 out of 3 of my district's legislators. And it's just a matter of co-ordinating schedules to meet with the third representative. He's already agreed to our meeting. I'm finally going to have a chance to sit down face to face with three people who actually have the power to implement change. The only way we can make changes in our current property tax system is by an amendment to the state constitution. We can not do it by initiative like I-747 or proposition 13 in California. I can't wait to have the opportunity to hear their opinions on these issues and to share mine and my friends with them, as well. I'm very excited at the opportunity to expand my understanding of these issues. Sort of like entering into the lion's den if you know what I mean. (Although seriously, I have heard that our districts legislators are truly decent people. We shall see)
3) In addition, our local newspaper, the Peninsula Gateway, has allowed me to write an article on the property tax issue as a guest columnist. Once again, I am honestly excited to do what I can in a small way to help educate and inform people in my community. I hope that others around the state go to their local representatives and their local papers and try and do what they can as well.
4) And last but not least, as I have gone online and done some research, I've found that homeowners all over this wonderful country are as fed up as I am. There is talk of "tax revolts" in almost every state in the union. I think that people are finally realizing that the" foxes have somehow taken over the hen house," and it's time to take to take it back. Cool. It's really getting interesting.
to be continued..Be well...Pat

Facing the music..Meeting the "organ grinders"

Greetings-
Tonight I took the time to e-mail each of my legislative representatives for my district. I have requested a face to face meeting with each of them. I am seriously looking forward to the opportunity to try and learn how each of them feels about our current property tax system. I'm also truly anxious to try and understand things from their point of view. From what I've heard we have a truly decent group of representatives in our area. We'll see.
To be continued......Be well..Pat

The plot thickens

Greetings
There sure is a lot going on. It looks like our wonderful state legislature is actually going to bow to the public's outrage over the state supreme court's decision to strike down I-747 and re-instate the 1% tax on state levies. But please don't be fooled by all this. I-747 only deals with tax levies and has nothing really to do with our state's policy of taxing us unmercifully on what they consider to be the true market value of our property. We're still being brutalized taxwise by being forced to pay taxes on what value we MIGHT have IF we actually sold our homes . To me, it's the same as being taxed for having a savings account!
The type of system we need is one where you are taxed for the actual price that you paid for your home plus a reasonable increase each year. Then if you do choose to sell your home, whoever buys it would thrn pay tax on what THEY pay for your home. We need a predictable tax system that would allow homeowners to budget for their annual property taxes. As I've mentioned in the past, my wife and I have lived on our land for 33 years and our property tax bill has increased by 400% in just the last five years. And 60 days after we did a refinance in January, our monthly mortgage payment went up 20% a month just because 2008's valuation increase which we received in March from Pierce County. (Almost 100% increase) This would be nice if we planned to sell, but this is not just a piece of dirt to us, this is our home and we had hoped to stay here for the rest of our life. Currently there is absolutely nothing to keep taxing bodies from jacking up our taxes by 400% over the next five years and the next. If things don't change soon we will be literally taxed out of our home.
And believe me, we're nor the only ones. All of my neighbors and friends are going through the exact same problem and everyone I talk to about this issue says the same thing. They're mad, they're frustrated and a very common comment is that a "tax revolt" might be inevitable and necessary. It's bad enough that there are so many foreclosures going on but now we're on the verge of losing our homes to taxes as well. It's like we're being penalized for just being homeowners. And God forbid that you mow your lawn and keep your place up because I guarantee that you will be be paying more taxes than your neighbor whose yard is full of old cars. It's just NOT RIGHT!
What kind of society will we have if only the rich can afford to have their own homes? What will happen to all the hard working poor and middle class people when a government that's supposed to be "by the people, for the people" taxes them right off their land.
I am more dedicated than ever to staying the course, I will be at the anti-property tax rally on the capitol steps in Olympia on January 14th, the opening day of the 2008 legislative session, from 11:00 to 1:00, being organized by a wonderful group of people at http://www.predictabletax.com. And I will keep talking to my state legislators until my voice and the voices of my my friends and others are heard. I will continue to peacefully pursue property tax law changes. If you want to keep your home, if you ever hope to retire in your own home, than I suggest you try and do what you can at whatever level you can. It literally only takes a few minutes to call your elected officials and let them know how you feel. If you don't use the rights and opportunities that our forefathers fought to provide, then you'll have no one to blame but yourself when they come to take your home.
Anyway, it's late, I'm getting tired, and I can't wait until this battle is won so that I can spend my time with the most important people in my life, my wife, my dog, my children and grandchildren and my friends. Politics suck and they give me a headache. By I will not give up until my home is secured.
I did here a wonderful definition of politics; "poli' meaning many & "tics" which are blood sucking parasites.
Have a great thanksgiving and please keep the faith....Pat

Talking to the "Organ grinders"

Greetings-
I believe the wheels of progress are slowly beginning to turn for me. Although I still feel a little lost and I realize how much I have to learn,but I'm getting encouraged. I figured that I might as well start planting seeds so I started off by calling the Governor. Although I wasn't able to talk to her personally, ( I really didn't believe I would), but I did get to express my frustration to a very courteous woman in her office who promised to relay my sentiments to Ms Gregoire. If you would also like to call the governor, her office number is (360) 902-4111. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.
I also took the liberty of calling all the state legislators from my district. I could only leave messages for two of them, but an aide for one of the reps, Larry Seaquist offered to set up a meeting for me with Mr Seaquist and I'll do my best to see that she follows through. I'll let you know what happens.
I've begun communication with some of the anti-tax groups around Washington state and so far I've been very impressed with a group called Predictable Tax at www.predictabletax.com. They are planning a demonstration to protest property taxes on Jan 14th from 11:00 to 1:00 on the capital steps. I've decide to attend and I also have offered them any assistance that I can provide. I've lived on this earth for 63 years and have never been to any kind of protest in my life. But then I've never been this motivated before. This bottomless pit of constant taxation has got to stop. And I want to be a small part of that.
Seeds have been planted and things are starting to grow. Let the fun begin.
Be well, Pat

The board of equalization..What a joke

Last week I went to my appeal on the outrageous property tax increase of 400% in the last five years. What a joke! It was supposed to be a board made up of citizens that are supposed to listen to legitimate reasons why you feel your property taxes are out of line. My wife and I did a refinance on our home in January of 2007. Pierce county assessors came right along behind our professional assessor and said our property was worth $50,000 MORE than the professional!
This so called citizen board did their very best to make me feel like an idiot. They were more uptight and inflexible than any county personnel I've ever met, including building inspectors . They got me so frustrated and angry that I just old them "thanks for nothing" and walked out. On the way to the meeting my car overheated and blew a head gasket. I think that when I left the meeting I had the same problem.
I've always heard that if you don't like the music, you need to talk to the organ grinder and not the monkey. Now I just have to get in touch with some "organ grinders" and quit wasting my time with monkeys......Anyway, I'm not the least bit discouraged and there will be more to come...Take care, Pat

Stumbling in the dark

Greetings-
Well, there's not too much new to report. I have done a little research on line and have found that there are already several anti-property tax groups in Washington. I plan on contacting each of them and trying to feel them out a bit. I'm hoping to avoid groups that are too extreme one way or the other. I think the most effective organizations will be the ones who are neither Democrat nor Republican. I feel that tax issues and many of the other problems we face are not partisan problems, they are just THE PROBLEMS. We could really get a lot accomplished if the sincere people working on reforms don't care who gets the credit.
I also intend to contact my legislative reps again and start the process of showing them that I am not going to go away.
It's late tonight but I can't wait for what lies ahead.
To be continued...Pat

I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore

Greetings-
Although I doubt anyone else will ever read these words, I know I'll feel better just writing them down. I am so angry at what seems to be an unending and cruel stream of higher and higher taxation. My property taxes have gone up over 400% in just the last 5 years. And there's absolutely nothing to prevent them from doing the same over the next five years. I find it more and more difficult to differentiate between governmental bodies and organized crime. With the possible exception that at least organized crime makes a big deal out of "Honor"
Property taxes are becoming more and more of a glorified type of extortion. "Give us a bigger and bigger piece of your hard earned home or we will hurt you in some way" (Up to and including taking your home away.)
I am 63 years old, I've been married to my best friend for 41 years. I have a family that I love deeply including two children, their spouses and six wonderful grandchildren. My wife and I have lived on five acres in what used to be "the country" for the last thirty three years. Up until the 200% increase in my property tax over just the last two years I was semi-retired and considered myself a pretty content person.
Now I'm angry, I'm focused and I'm going on a political quest that I will not quit until Washington state has reasonable and predictable property taxes once and for all. I'm not rich. I'm not a person with any political ambitions or any political clout. But I do have basic intelligence, some time on my hands and dear God, am I ever motivated. I intend to take all of my anger and frustration and try to focus all that energy into positive actions. I want to help make things better. Not just for myself, but for all the people out there who I know are as frustrated as I am but for some reason just don't know how to fight back. I did not ask for this fight but honor demands it.
The purpose of this blog will be to document my journey through this very nasty business of politics. I have no idea where this journey will take me, but I'll always know that at least I tried. I won't just roll over and let them take my home away from me. That's not what this country is about. It's not what I'm about.
Tomorrow I begin my battle. May the force be with me and those who also share this quest.
To be continued, Pat