On February 21, the Senate Ways & Means Committee heard three bills that are AWC priorities on housing. The top priority sales tax revenue sharing proposal, SB 5646, perhaps being the most important. We greatly appreciate Mukilteo Mayor Jennifer Gregerson and Chelan Mayor Mike Cooney for coming to Olympia and sharing what these resources would mean for their communities. The House companion, HB 1406, was also heard the same day—watch the Mayors' testimony (starts at 55:38) to the committee.
Also heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee were SB 5366 and SB 5363, two bills that we have been tracking and reporting on regarding expanding the multifamily tax exemption. SB 5366 would extend the multifamily tax exemption program to smaller cities, and SB 5363 would allow cities to extend the 12-year affordable housing tax exemption at local discretion.
AWC testified in favor of all four of these proposals. We hope you are letting your delegation know how important they are to you. It is becoming clear that this will be another tight budget year, so it is important that your legislators are hearing from you about your needs for new resources for affordable housing.
It is becoming clear that this will be another tight budget year, so it is important that your legislators are hearing from you about your needs for new resources for affordable housing.