FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — April 28, 2019
Dhingra bill to provide property tax relief for seniors and veterans passes out of the Legislature, heads to Governor’s desk for signature
OLYMPIA – The Legislature today passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) to provide property tax relief to those who can least afford an increase — senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and veterans who reside in areas with a high cost of living.
“Affordability is a huge problem in the 45th Legislative District and surrounding communities,” Dhingra said. “Seniors and people on fixed incomes, many of whom have called the 45th home for decades, are being priced out of their homes.”
Under current law, the senior property tax exemption is calculated based on statewide income thresholds that do not account for the different cost of living in different counties. Senate Bill 5160 will base eligibility instead on each county’s median household income. The bill also adjusts the disability rating qualification for the disabled veterans property tax exemption program to 80 percent.
“Current exemptions do not account for regional differences,” Dhingra said. “This bill fixes that.”
SB 5160 passed out of the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. It now heads to Gov. Inslee’s desk for signature.
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For more information: Bre Weider (360) 786-7326
