LETTER TO THE EDITOR State Bill SB-5798 would shift tax burden to working families

In her letter to the editor, Burien resident Alexandra Sandoval articulates her significant concerns about the implications of proposed bill SB-5798, co-sponsored by Senator Emily Alvarado. The bill seeks to eliminate the current 1% cap on annual property tax increases, transitioning instead to a model based on the national Consumer Price Index (CPI). With CPI expected to increase by 3. 2% this year, property taxes could rise by approximately $2,000 for the average homeowner, a scenario that Sandoval finds alarming. She emphasizes that this change would disproportionately affect working families and low-income seniors, many of whom already struggle to make ends meet.

Sandoval notes that while some seniors may qualify for tax exemptions, the financial strain on the broader community could lead to increased rents and heightened economic pressure. The demographic makeup of Burien, characterized by high immigrant and multi-generational households, adds to her concerns about the bill's impact. She urges her fellow residents to educate themselves on the issue and to reach out to Senator Alvarado to express their opposition. In her view, community engagement is crucial to preventing this potentially harmful legislation from passing.