Property-Tax Foes Target County

An initiative to the people that would put a lid on property tax rates across Washington state is making the rounds in Spokane County.

Initiative 650 would reset property assessments to 1993 levels and cap annual increases at no more than 2 percent.

The measure also would create a property tax exemption for a primary residence, resulting in a tax cut of about 50 percent on that home.

All residential, commercial, business and industrial properties would be covered by the measure.

Proponents must gather more than 181,000 signatures by July 7 to get the measure on the November ballot.

“Everybody I talk to is ready to sign,” said Larry Hartley, a Valley resident eager to start gathering signatures.

People interested in the initiative can call Hartley at 922-0679 for more information.