We are thrilled to report that Rep. Rob Nosse has introduced Common Ground OR-WA’s land value tax study bill that had been introduced in the ’21 session as HB 2972. We anticipate that we will receive a bill number by mid-January; with the transfer of language from the previous bill, it’s possible that the bill will be drafted sooner, however.
Despite our efforts to find a sponsor who serves on the House Revenue Committee or have it introduced as a committee bill, Rep. Nosse took the initiative on the heels of the governor’s Housing Productivity Advisory Council’s recommendations to the legislature to adopt LVT enabling legislation. The Governor’s Office has not, to our knowledge, however, introduced any LVT-related bill.
We encourage readers to send Rep. Nosse a message of thanks for his leadership as soon as possible:
Rep.RobNosse@oregonlegislature.gov.
We will attempt to work with the governor’s staff to actively support the bill as a crucial step in educating legislators and their constituents about the benefits and challenges of enabling a local option amendment to the Constitution. The bill includes how to address transition measures to return to real market values in the wake of tax burden distortions caused by Measures 5 and 50.
Once we know the bill number, we can urge House Revenue Committee members to support the bill. Since a similar version of the bill passed the Senate with one opposing vote in the ’19 session, we’re confident that it will gain broad support again. Common Ground OR-WA will issue newsletters prior to and during the session to keep readers informed of the bill’s progress. We appreciate your efforts to help move this bill forward as soon as possible.
Washington
In Washington, some members of Spokane’s city council have contacted Common Ground USA to learn how LVT could help boost new construction in parts of town lacking in investment and within a TOD proposed for a new transit corridor.
An advisory committee of the Washington Association of Cities has recommended the inclusion of the LVT option as a top priority in the 2025 legislative agenda.
Alaska
We have gotten a warm reception on land value taxation from the Alaska Municipal League, who are supportive of a land value tax study bill. Alaska presents a more straightforward path than Oregon, given that the state constitution does not appear to have a prohibition on split-rate taxation. Now that the general election is wrapping up, we are working with them to identify representatives likely to introduce a study bill.