Radio Report: Rep. Chris Corry’s bill proposes aiding cities and counties without raising taxes

January 30, 2024

As Democrats push for an increase in property taxes to raise more revenue for cities and counties, a Republican House member suggests “a better way” without raising taxes. Hanna Scott reports.

HANNA SCOTT: Representative Chris Corry of Yakima opposes a Democrat plan of giving cities and counties the ability to raise property taxes by up to 3 percent a year to raise more revenue. Instead, Corry’s House Bill 2436 would reduce the state sales tax by one-half percent and let local governments raise revenues through a voter approved one-half percent sales tax increase.

CORRY: “It’s net neutral to the taxpayer. If some of our counties and cities are struggling, we need to give them the options to actually fund a lot of the mandates we’ve put on them over the years. I think this is a much better way to do it.”

HANNA SCOTT: Corry says his proposal would prevent increased tax burdens on citizens.

CORRY: “In a state that has a three-billion-dollar surplus, we can fund our priorities that we have while also providing some direct tax relief or the ability for cities and counties to not have to come to us asking for money they can do it directly.”

HANNA SCOTT: The legislation has been referred to the House Local Government Committee for further action.

Hanna Scott, the state Capitol.