Comments on: Metro Tax Update http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/ Transit in the Greater Seattle Area Fri, 25 May 2012 09:05:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Joyce Eleanor on CT Cuts, Fare Increases - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-97633 Joyce Eleanor on CT Cuts, Fare Increases - Seattle Transit Blog Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:07:34 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-97633 [...] maximum 0.9% sales tax, and the property tax authority that King County recently exploited derives from a statute that specifically applies only to King [...]
[...] maximum 0.9% sales tax, and the property tax authority that King County recently exploited derives from a statute that specifically applies only to King [...]

]]> By: The Triplett Metro Plan (III): Tax Shifts and Financial Engineering - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-64087 The Triplett Metro Plan (III): Tax Shifts and Financial Engineering - Seattle Transit Blog Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:54:13 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-64087 [...] session, the legislature authorized King County to assess up to .0075% the value of a house, or 7.5 cents per $1000 of value, for transit, as long [...]
[...] session, the legislature authorized King County to assess up to .0075% the value of a house, or 7.5 cents per $1000 of value, for transit, as long [...]

]]> By: Transit Cuts Coast-to-Coast - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-43218 Transit Cuts Coast-to-Coast - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 05 May 2009 07:14:37 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-43218 [...] Thankfully, the property tax authority that Olympia gave the county for transit should plug about a third of the hole, but still 13% cuts in service are not going to be pretty. Thankfully Olympia did something, [...]
[...] Thankfully, the property tax authority that Olympia gave the county for transit should plug about a third of the hole, but still 13% cuts in service are not going to be pretty. Thankfully Olympia did something, [...]

]]> By: Transit Cuts Coast-to-Coast - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-43217 Transit Cuts Coast-to-Coast - Seattle Transit Blog Tue, 05 May 2009 07:14:37 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-43217 [...] Thankfully, the property tax authority that Olympia gave the county for transit should plug about a third of the hole, but still 13% cuts in service are not going to be pretty. Thankfully Olympia did something, [...]
[...] Thankfully, the property tax authority that Olympia gave the county for transit should plug about a third of the hole, but still 13% cuts in service are not going to be pretty. Thankfully Olympia did something, [...]

]]> By: Olympia Update: Transit Does Pretty Well - Seattle Transit Blog http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-41844 Olympia Update: Transit Does Pretty Well - Seattle Transit Blog Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:48:22 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-41844 [...] start with, SB 5433 (discussed in more detail here) - passed the House with both the ferry district authorization and the Simpson amendment intact - [...]
[...] start with, SB 5433 (discussed in more detail here) – passed the House with both the ferry district authorization and the Simpson amendment intact – [...]

]]> By: Bernie http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38901 Bernie Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:44:06 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38901 And the "buy Washington" clause is another example of insane policy. At least WSF seems to have learned that buy high, sell low lesson with passenger only ferries... now we have KCFD to do that for us.
And the “buy Washington” clause is another example of insane policy. At least WSF seems to have learned that buy high, sell low lesson with passenger only ferries… now we have KCFD to do that for us.

]]> By: Bernie http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38898 Bernie Sat, 11 Apr 2009 04:31:41 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38898 <blockquote>sane capital budget for the ferries is sorely needed</blockquote> Yes, the emphasis needs to be on sane. A new boat for Sydney/Anacortes is insane. Turn this route over to Black Ball and limit State financial commitment to free use of the dock at our end. Then see if the Canucks are willing to make the same commitment.

sane capital budget for the ferries is sorely needed

Yes, the emphasis needs to be on sane. A new boat for Sydney/Anacortes is insane. Turn this route over to Black Ball and limit State financial commitment to free use of the dock at our end. Then see if the Canucks are willing to make the same commitment.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38668 Andrew Smith Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:20:57 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38668 Yeah it's pretty crazy, with no parking on either side of the lake, not a lot of people are going to be taking that UW-Kirkland ferry, at least not until U-Link opens.
Yeah it’s pretty crazy, with no parking on either side of the lake, not a lot of people are going to be taking that UW-Kirkland ferry, at least not until U-Link opens.

]]> By: Andrew Smith http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38667 Andrew Smith Fri, 10 Apr 2009 06:19:11 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38667 I don't think Jarrett would oppose it, but I bet Susan Hutchinson might, with her discovery institute association, he's pretty anti-transit.
I don’t think Jarrett would oppose it, but I bet Susan Hutchinson might, with her discovery institute association, he’s pretty anti-transit.

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38656 Chris Stefan Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:34:33 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38656 I don't think anyone is on record other than Larry, but I see no reason Fred Jarrett would oppose such a measure. Indeed since he currently serves in the Legislature any votes or other actions he takes on the bill will be on record. He may be a former republican but that doesn't mean he has much in common with today's Washington State GOP.
I don’t think anyone is on record other than Larry, but I see no reason Fred Jarrett would oppose such a measure. Indeed since he currently serves in the Legislature any votes or other actions he takes on the bill will be on record. He may be a former republican but that doesn’t mean he has much in common with today’s Washington State GOP.

]]> By: Zed http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38618 Zed Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:45:07 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38618 The current tax rate going to the ferry district is 0.005%. The tax ceiling, the amount they could tax for ferries, is 0.075%. The current tax being collected is not at the ceiling, The bill would lower the ferry district tax ceiling and create a new tax authority that could be levied to help pay for transit. Hope this helps clarify, and I hope that I understand it correctly.
The current tax rate going to the ferry district is 0.005%. The tax ceiling, the amount they could tax for ferries, is 0.075%. The current tax being collected is not at the ceiling, The bill would lower the ferry district tax ceiling and create a new tax authority that could be levied to help pay for transit. Hope this helps clarify, and I hope that I understand it correctly.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38615 Ben Schiendelman Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:10:18 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38615 John, let's look at year over year numbers. It's not summer yet.
John, let’s look at year over year numbers. It’s not summer yet.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38614 Ben Schiendelman Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:04:58 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38614 Probably to allow it without a public vote.
Probably to allow it without a public vote.

]]> By: Ben Schiendelman http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38613 Ben Schiendelman Fri, 10 Apr 2009 00:04:33 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38613 Well, let's see him come out in support. :)
Well, let’s see him come out in support. :)

]]> By: Martin H. Duke http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38605 Martin H. Duke Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:53:47 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38605 Your understanding is correct.
Your understanding is correct.

]]> By: Tim Whittome http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38600 Tim Whittome Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:12:10 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38600 Martin I don't understand this paragraph: "The bill would reduce the ceiling for counties with over 1.5m people (ie, King) to 0.0075% for ferries. (Sec. 7). However, it would also create a new 0.0075% taxing authority for King County which could be applied to transit. (Sec. 8). King County expects that this would generate approximately $25m in revenue, which would plug about a third of the hole in 2010" In the previous paragraph to this one, you said that the property tax going to the ferry district in King County was 0.005% - isn't that lower than 0.0075% so isn't the legislatature then raising what can be collected in King County and from the rest of the paragraph above, are you saying that King County would be able to collect two sets of 0.0075% property taxes - one for the ferries and one for Metro? If so, this seems excellent idea to me. One idea, I discussed with Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) when I met her on Monday in Olympia was having an 'opt-in clause' on our annual license tab fees so that those of us outside of the ST taxing district but who use ST buses (and even those who do not) could opt in with an additional fee for Sound Transit. As Olympia was thinking about this idea for State Parks, the possibilities are endless for having lots of opt in boxes for all of our favorite causes. I, for one, would opt in to pay for ST? I have no idea how logistically possible that this would be, but Rep. Clibborn said I could bring it up again at the next legislative session in 2010. By the way, when exactly are we going to see any ferries plying Lake Washington and the Puget Sound as part of paying this ferry property tax? Bernie, I think you are wrong on the water taxi - running this year round is an excellent use of tax dollars (I assume this is part of the ferry district taxing authority, right) If someone could clarify the above paragraph for me, I would be grateful. Apologies in advance for sounding stupid. Tim
Martin

I don’t understand this paragraph:

“The bill would reduce the ceiling for counties with over 1.5m people (ie, King) to 0.0075% for ferries. (Sec. 7). However, it would also create a new 0.0075% taxing authority for King County which could be applied to transit. (Sec. 8). King County expects that this would generate approximately $25m in revenue, which would plug about a third of the hole in 2010″

In the previous paragraph to this one, you said that the property tax going to the ferry district in King County was 0.005% – isn’t that lower than 0.0075% so isn’t the legislatature then raising what can be collected in King County and from the rest of the paragraph above, are you saying that King County would be able to collect two sets of 0.0075% property taxes – one for the ferries and one for Metro?

If so, this seems excellent idea to me.

One idea, I discussed with Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island) when I met her on Monday in Olympia was having an ‘opt-in clause’ on our annual license tab fees so that those of us outside of the ST taxing district but who use ST buses (and even those who do not) could opt in with an additional fee for Sound Transit. As Olympia was thinking about this idea for State Parks, the possibilities are endless for having lots of opt in boxes for all of our favorite causes. I, for one, would opt in to pay for ST? I have no idea how logistically possible that this would be, but Rep. Clibborn said I could bring it up again at the next legislative session in 2010.

By the way, when exactly are we going to see any ferries plying Lake Washington and the Puget Sound as part of paying this ferry property tax?

Bernie, I think you are wrong on the water taxi – running this year round is an excellent use of tax dollars (I assume this is part of the ferry district taxing authority, right)

If someone could clarify the above paragraph for me, I would be grateful. Apologies in advance for sounding stupid.

Tim

]]> By: Deb Eddy http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38596 Deb Eddy Thu, 09 Apr 2009 21:15:42 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38596 I'm going to repeat this truth: There is NO reason that any candidate for King County exec to oppose this bill. Now that there is a Republican in the race (Susan Hutchinson), I can't vouch for her point of view. BUT FRED JARRETT would be completely in support ... now, and historically. So I don't know why Michymse would expect him to be opposed. Any basis for that opine?
I’m going to repeat this truth: There is NO reason that any candidate for King County exec to oppose this bill. Now that there is a Republican in the race (Susan Hutchinson), I can’t vouch for her point of view. BUT FRED JARRETT would be completely in support … now, and historically. So I don’t know why Michymse would expect him to be opposed. Any basis for that opine?

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38579 Chris Stefan Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:42:13 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38579 BTW I agree the SR 520 bridge should be funded before the 99 tunnel.
BTW I agree the SR 520 bridge should be funded before the 99 tunnel.

]]> By: Chris Stefan http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38578 Chris Stefan Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:40:37 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38578 Yes I was talking about the Washington State Ferries. Bernie mentioned a few areas where the legislature was able to find additional transportation money (ferries, AWV tunnel). I was saying a sane capital budget for the ferries is sorely needed or we soon won't have a ferry system.
Yes I was talking about the Washington State Ferries. Bernie mentioned a few areas where the legislature was able to find additional transportation money (ferries, AWV tunnel). I was saying a sane capital budget for the ferries is sorely needed or we soon won’t have a ferry system.

]]> By: John Jensen http://seattletransitblog.com/2009/04/08/metro-tax-update/#comment-38576 John Jensen Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:25:44 +0000 http://seattletransitblog.com/?p=4102#comment-38576 I ride the #8 and there's definitely a much lighter load than last summer.
I ride the #8 and there’s definitely a much lighter load than last summer.

]]>