Affordable housing, environmental stewardship, and human services are shared values. 

The question isn't whether to support them; it's whether Proposition 1 is effective and equitable.

Prop 1 places a heavy, regressive burden on Kenmore residents already fighting to stay in their home, and burdens our neighbors for a tax that sends their money outside the community with no return.

City of Kenmore Ordinance 26-0644 clearly states that Prop 1 is a means to solve an overall budget problem through a major tax increase.  It does not increase funding or additional programs for climate and environmental stewardship and human services.

Prop 1 relies on a property tax increase, the most regressive type of tax.  It will increase the Kenmore city property tax by at least 52% next year and more than double over the six-year life of the levy. 

This raises housing costs for homeowners and renters alike, and operating costs for every business in Kenmore, which will be reflected in higher prices.

At a time when Kenmore residents are already struggling with the cost of housing, insurance, gas, utilities, groceries, childcare, and health care, the City of Kenmore should not balance its ambitions on a regressive tax that asks every resident to pay more.

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