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Advocacy


Published on Mar 07, 2020

Councilmanic authority to pass sales tax for affordable housing one step closer to law

Contact: Carl Schroeder, Shannon McClelland

An AWC priority bill passed the Senate by a narrow vote. Because the bill was amended in the Senate, it must return to the House for agreement to the changes. It then heads to the Governor’s desk to be signed into law.

HB 1590 converts the existing taxing authority for a 1/10th of 1% sales tax for affordable housing into a tax that can be enacted by a county or city councilmanically. Current law requires sending a ballot proposition to the voters.

This bill empowers local officials to help address the housing crisis much more expeditiously and treat the crisis with the urgency it requires. HB 1590 passed with a six-vote margin in both chambers.

Thank you to all who reached out to voice your support to lawmakers!

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