Affordable housing, climate action, and human services are shared values.
The question isn't whether to support them; it's whether this proposal is the fairest, most equitable, and most accountable way to do it.
Proposition 1 relies on a property tax increase, the most regressive type of tax.
This ultimately raises housing costs for homeowners and renters alike.
At a time when working families are already struggling with the cost of housing, groceries, child care, and health care, Kenmore should not balance its ambitions on a regressive tax that asks ordinary residents to pay more.
A progressive budget starts with accountability.
Before asking the public for additional revenue, the City should demonstrate that existing resources are being spent effectively, transparently, and on programs with measurable community benefit.