And The Stench Grows Even Worse

Apparently three other Washington counties sent attendee preferences versus delegates elected to state party headquarters in addition to Snohomish: Benton, Grant, and Jefferson.

The party has announced new numbers, incorporating some corrections.

With 96% of precincts reporting:

Huckabee 23.3 %
McCain 25.6 %
Paul 21.4 %
Romney 15.3 %
Other 1.1 %
Uncommitted 13.3%

But really, who can believe those numbers now?

Eric Earling at Sound Politics writes:

Needless to say, this is not a good situation at all. I have had conversations with enough relevant individuals at the county and state level to determine there was clearly a communication breakdown at some point between the county and state parties. Who is ultimately responsible for that lack of alignment is for others to determine and rectify.

The responsibility in any situation such as this lies at the top. I think pressure for Luke Esser to step aside is going to grow. With what figures to be a hotly contested gubernatorial race this fall, Dino Rossi does not need a vote count scandal hanging over the party, not after what happened in 2004. Clearly the WSRP leadership was not prepared to handle this presidential caucus at all. There must be accountability for this mess. Esser's open letter trying to put lipstick on the pig is too little, too late.

And it doesn't help that former state Republican chair and McCain supporter Chris Vance is running his big mouth in the Seattle Times, disparaging the Huckabee campaign in an attempt at spin control for Esser:

The Huckabee campaign either doesn't understand that, which I doubt, or they're just trying to use this to build up sympathy for poor Mike Huckabee who's being persecuted by the Republican establishment in Washington state.

OBVIOUSLY, Huckabee has a legitmate beef, given all these reporting errors. Way to mobilize the base, Chris. The caucus delegates comprise the heart of the party, and 74% of them didn't vote for your guy. What a great way to ensure defeat in the fall statewide elections and plunge the Washington State Republican Party even further into mediocrity.

The Stench Is Rising

NorthWest Cable News is reporting:

Throughout the vote reporting process, State Party Chairman Luke Esser has said the party is reporting the presidential preferences of the delegates who were elected at the caucuses. But today we learned that Snohomish County, the third-largest county in the state, reported the preferences of all caucus attendees instead of the elected delegates.

One Snohomish County caucus chairman told KING 5 that the delegate preferences are "dramatically different" than the attendee counts.

That's great. It doesn't help that both the WSRP chairman and communications director are both avowed McCain supporters. It may be time to clean house after this massive loss of face. Luke Esser's position is quickly becoming untenable.

And it does matter. In politics, perception is everything. Since last Saturday's primaries, Huck is up 21 points in Virginia.

National Flogging of WSRP Continues

Huckabee: Washington State vote like the Soviet Union

Talking Points Memo: Esser makes Boss Hogg look like a good government man

CBS News: State GOP hangs up on Huckabee's daughter-in-law; Esser admits he doesn't know which precincts the remaining votes are coming from

Captain's Quarters: Can't Anyone In Washington Handle An Election?

For a state that wants to be more relevant in the presidential primary process, this is a PR disaster.

Washington Republican Caucus Update

With 93.3% of precincts reporting:

Huckabee 23.8 %
McCain 25.4 %
Paul 20.7 %
Romney 16.7 %
Other 1.0 %
Uncommitted 12.3 %

McCain's lead of 1.6% just looks too close to call still.

The Seattle Times is reporting that the resumption of the count was brought on by pressure from the Huckabee campaign.

I still believe that the McCain lead will hold, as the state party is privy to more data (remaining precincts and county trends) than has been publicly released. But in retrospect, in a race this tight, it was a mistake to call the winner without releasing some of that supporting data. Unfortunate (because of the 2004 gubernatorial fiasco) , but not a big deal. We didn't select national delegates yesterday, just delegates to the county conventions (who theoretically could change their minds.) The national convention delegates won't be elected until the state convention May 31. Based on yesterday's result, McCain and Huckabee will have around 4 or 5 each, with Paul and Romney also getting a few.

If most Washington Republicans don't understand our complicated, lengthy, multi-step delegate selection process, people from around the county certainly don't. Misunderstandings by passionate political activists plus the first presidential primary for WSRP chairman Luke Esser and his staff equaled a not quite ready for prime time performance. But hopefully this incident will motivate the Huckabee base in Washington to come out and vote in the February 19 primary by showing Mike can win here.

Mike Huckabee Questions Washington State GOP Caucus Count

I thought it was a bit unusual for FOX to call the race with 13% of the vote to be counted and such a small margin separating McCain and Huckabee. Then the Washington State Republican Party officially called it at 11:38 PM.

There is a huge outcry from the Hucakbee campaign over this. David Postman at the Seattle Times has the details here and here. FOX News has more.

I will say two things about this. First, as far as I know, the state party has not suspended counting. The press release last night stated that a full report would be available tomorrow. In caucuses past, the party didn't even have numbers available the day of the caucus. Secondly, all caucus reports were due to the state party HQ by 4:30 PM. I'm assuming they have all the numbers in hand and were able to make the call for McCain but don't want to release final numbers until they were verified.

In any case, I'd like to see the state party release the final numbers ASAP and avoid any further embarassment. The fact that former WSRP state chair, Chris Vance is an outspoken McCain supporter and critic of Huckabee doesn't help matters.

I want to get the count right, and as I have state previously, it would be great to show that Mike can win outside of the South, but we're only probably only talking one or two delegates at most that are at stake here. And delegates elected yesterday are offically unpledged heading into the county convention according to party rules.

Explanation as to why Mike Huckabee may be doing so well in Washington

Statement by Washington for Huckabee* Chairman Joe Fuiten:

"The strong showing for Mike Huckabee today puts Huckabee on the path to take a significant number of Washington's delegates to the national convention.

"Many are surprised at what Mike Huckabee did tonight. There is a simple explanation. The rank and file of the Republican party appreciate where he stands on the issues. They also appreciate the kind of character that he exhibits. He has not gone negative. He has kept a positive vision.

"I did a straw poll a few days ago to get a sense for where Evangelical type voters are. They voted 53% for Huckabee, and that was before Romney dropped out. The strength of Huckabee in Washington shows me that Evangelicals are back.

"With Huckabee winning in in a mid-western state like Kansas, a southern state like Louisiana, and doing what he did in a western state like Washington, it demonstrates that he is a strong national candidate.

"Here is the poll I did over several days last week. I think it explains the success of Mike Huckabee tonight."

Click here to view Presidential Straw Poll

** Washington for Huckabee is not officially endorsed by Huckabee for President, Inc.

FOX News Has Just Called Washington for McCain

Not really a stunning victory for anyone delegate-wise, with an essentially four-way split of 18 of our 40 national convention delegates. Still, it would have been nice to show that Huck can win outside the South. But hopefully this will give him momentum for the primary on February 19 where the other half (20) of the delegates will be decided.

Some thoughts:

Washington is clearly in play for Huckabee. But more attention has to be paid to Washington by the Huckabee campaign. As Rev. Jospeh Fuiten, the leader of the Huckabee grassroots movement in Washington stated to David Postman:

Fuiten said he will make a pitch to the campaign that Huckabee visit Washington before the Feb. 19 primary. Huckabee’s wife, Janet, visited this week, doing more than 15 media appearances, Fuiten said.

“I started calling on the morning after he did so well on Super Tuesday and said, ‘Give us some help out here.’ They put no money into Washington. Zero; no staff, no advertising.”

Huckabee hasn't been in Washington since November. McCain was in Seattle yesterday and cleaned up in King County. Ron Paul was in Spokane a couple of weeks back and won 46% of the delegates in Spokane County. At this point, Huckabee needs every vote he can get.

I'm at a bit of a loss to explain the 17% of the vote garnered by Mitt Romney. He only received 6% in Louisiana and 3% in Kansas today. I suspect the Romney supporters were casting a protest vote, but it is unfortunate we will have delegates assigned to a candidate who is out of the race. My grandmother used to have a saying about "cutting your nose off to spite your face."

Washington Republican Caucus Update

With 87.2% of precincts reporting:

John McCain 25.74%
Mike Huckabee 23.94%
Ron Paul 20.77%
Mitt Romney 16.72%
Uncommitted 12.7%

Huckabee Wins Kansas, Louisiana GOP Contests; Washington Too Close to Call

From Fox News:

Mike Huckabee also had a good day Saturday, pulling out a strong win, 60 to 24 percent, over John McCain in the Kansas Republican caucuses earlier in the day and then taking Louisiana in a sqeaker. Huckabee was at 44 percent to 42 percent for McCain in Louisiana. However, Huckabee did not get to the 50 percent threshold needed to gain the delegates up for grabs from the state, and they will remain uncommitted going into the national convention in September.

The Washington Republican caucus results were too close to call late into the evening on Saturday, and party officials said they would resume counting on Sunday. McCain was leading Huckabee in the polling with 26 to 24 percent with 78 percent reporting. Ron Paul was close behind with 21 percent.

Washington Republican Caucus Update

With 83% of precincts reporting:

Huckabee 23.8 %
McCain 25.6 %
Paul 21 %
Romney 16.3 %
Other 1.0 %
Uncommitted 12.2 %

Washington Republican Caucus Update

With 78% of precincts reporting (including King County now):

McCain 25.69%
Huckabee 24.03%
Paul 21.37%
Romney 16.22%

These were the results in King County:

Mike Huckabee - 640 (19.25%)
John McCain - 1,057 (31.8%)
Ron Paul - 612 (18.41%)
Mitt Romney - 484 (14.56%)
Uncommitted - 520 (15.64%)
Others - 11 (0.33%)

Washington Republican Caucus Update

37% of Precincts Reporting:

Huckabee 26.90%
McCain 23.25%
Paul 20.60%
Romney 18.33%

Washington Republican Caucus Update

Fox News reports, with 16% of precincts reporting:

McCain 26.66%
Huckabee 26.00%
Paul 21.28%
Romney 16.76%

Sadly, no results yet on State GOP website. C'mon guys.

Early Washington Trends Looking Good for Huckabee

Based on what I saw today in Pullman, and reports on Sound Politics and Free Republic, it's looking good for Governor Huckabee statewide! And who said he couldn't win outside the South?

The Party of Victims Indeed

Michael nailed it.

According to the (Everett) Daily Herald:

Prepare to provide your name, address, phone number and e-mail when you sign in at Democratic caucuses Saturday.

And, if you don't mind, please list your race and sexual orientation, too.

The form set for use in Snohomish and 37 other counties contains boxes asking for ethnicity, and if a participant is disabled or lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgendered.

[...]

The inquiries are intended to help Washington's Democratic Party balance its selection of delegates.

Twenty-nine of the party's 97 delegates will be chosen in June based on the plan's numeric goals for diversity.

[...]

Those attending Republican caucuses won't find any optional questions. They'll simply sign their name and give their address, phone number and an e-mail address.

"We're not as obsessed with categorizing Americans as our Democratic friends," state Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser said.

Apparently Democrats are more concerned with the privacy rights of terrorists than members of their own party.

PRESS RELEASE: Ninth District legislator tackles colon cancer with strength, determination

My prayers are with Steve and his family. If anybody has the strength and determination to beat cancer, he can. This is a guy who used to fly combat helicopter missions in Vietnam.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 30, 2008

Ninth District legislator tackles colon cancer with strength, determination

State Rep. Steve Hailey, R-Mesa, has revealed that he is undergoing treatment for colon cancer. The 9th District lawmaker received the diagnosis shortly after the beginning of the 2008 legislative session.

Hailey began a regimen of chemotherapy the week of Jan. 21, and is planning to continue his legislative work as much as possible throughout his treatment.

Hailey made the decision to go public with his cancer diagnosis because he wanted to be honest and open with his constituents, to keep them apprised of his progress, and to help educate people about preventing and detecting the disease.

“This is one of the toughest challenges of my life, but I feel strongly that I have an obligation to be candid about what I’m dealing with and what’s ahead,” said Hailey. “Saying ‘I’ve got cancer’ should not suggest that I’m not up to the emotional and physical demands of battling through this. I’ve been in rough spots before, and I’m confident and optimistic for a positive outcome.”

Hailey credits advances in diagnosis and cure of colon cancer for his encouraging prognosis, but the “gold standard,” he said, is early detection.

“Colorectal cancer is among the most common cancers diagnosed in men and women in the United States, and I have joined the ranks of millions who are facing the same challenge and fighting the disease every day,” Hailey added. “Colon cancer is highly curable if detected in its early stages, and I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of regular testing and screenings.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk men and women over 50 have a fecal occult blood test yearly and a screening colonoscopy every five years. People with a strong family history of cancer should start screening at age 40.

Hailey, his wife and family expressed their appreciation for the many messages of encouragement from well-wishers.

"We have been heartened by the thoughtful show of support from our friends, both at home and among legislative colleagues and staff in Olympia. We are very grateful for everyone's concerns and prayers,” Hailey said. "The prognosis is favorable. My doctors and I are confident that the treatment protocol will be successful, and I look forward to a full, cancer-free recovery.”

To respect the family’s wishes for patient privacy and medical confidentiality, further updates on Rep. Hailey’s condition will be released when appropriate.

“Representative Hailey’s forthright honesty about his health is exactly what I would expect of him, and reflects the integrity and character of the man we know and admire," said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler. "I urge everyone to keep Steve and his family in their thoughts, but also to respect their privacy during this difficult period."

“Steve’s a courageous guy, and together with his wife and family, he will rise to meet this challenge with his normal determination,” said Colfax Rep. Joe Schmick, Hailey’s state House seatmate. “He’s a well-liked, dedicated representative, a key part of our legislative team, and folks throughout the district are pulling for him."

How Washington Will Select Its 40 Delegates to the Republican National Convention

It's a bit cryptic. But the race for the Republican nomination is still very much up in the air and Washington will probably be a major player for the first time in years. YOU can play a part by attending the Whitman County Republican Caucuses on February 9.

Half of the GOP delegates will come from the caucus process, the other half through the statewide primary. The Democrats are selecting ALL their delegates through the caucuses, making their primary a time-wasting and expensive beauty contest.

From The Green Papers:

Washington has 40 delegates.

3 party leaders, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the chairman of the Washington's Republican Party, will attend the convention as unpledged delegates by virtue of their position.

37 (27 district and 10 at-large) delegates are elected by the Primary and the Caucuses.

51% (37 × 0.51 = 18.87, round to 19) of these delegates are elected by Primary.

49% (37 × 0.49 = 18.13, round to 18) of these delegates are elected by Caucus.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday 9 February 2008: Precinct Caucuses.

Republican Party Caucuses meet in each precinct. Participants are required to sign a form stating they are Republicans (as voters do not have to declare political party membership to vote in the state's regular primaries or general elections). Each Precinct Caucus chooses the precinct's delegates to the County Convention. The County Conventions will, in turn, choose delegates to the State Convention. There is no formal system applied in the Precinct Caucuses to relate the presidential preference of the Caucus participants to the choice of the precinct's delegates. The participants at each Precinct Caucus alone determine if presidential preference is to be a factor in such choice and, if so, how it is to be applied.

The Caucuses initiate the process of electing 18 (49% of 37) of the National Convention delegates. These delegates will attend the Republican National Convention officially "Unpledged".

Tuesday 19 February 2008: Primary.

19 (1 from each of the 9 Congressional Districts and 10 at-large) of Washington's delegates to the Republican National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders based on the results of voting in today's Washington Presidential Primary. Voters are required to sign a form stating they are Republicans (as voters do not have to declare political party membership to vote in the state's regular primaries or general elections).

9 district delegates are to be allocated to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the 9 congressional districts: each congressional district is assigned 1 National Convention delegate and the presidential contender receiving the greatest number of votes in that district will receive that district's National Convention delegate.

10 delegates are to be allocated proportionally to presidential contenders based on the primary vote statewide. A 20 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates at the statewide level.

Saturday 22 March - Saturday 3 May 2008 (tentative date): Republican Party County Conventions convene in each county. Each County Convention chooses delegates to both the Congressional District Conventions and the State Convention.

County Conventions choose both the county's delegates to the Republican Party Convention of the Congressional District the county is a part of as well as the county's delegates to the Washington State Republican Convention. Again, there is no formal system applied in the County Convention to relate the presidential preference of the County Convention delegates to the choice of the county's delegates to either the Republican Convention of the Congressional District in which the county is located or the Washington State Republican Convention; each County Convention alone determine if presidential preference is to be a factor and, if so, how it is to be applied.

Once more, there is no formal system governing how the District Convention is to go about indicating its presidential preference to the State Convention. It is the delegates in attendance at the Congressional District Convention alone who decide how best to go about this.

Friday 30 May - Saturday 31 May 2008: The State Convention convenes.

There is no formal system applied in the State Convention to relate the presidential preference of the Caucus participants to the choice of the National Convention delegates. The participants at the State Convention alone determine if presidential preference is to be a factor in such choice and, if so, how it is to be applied.

The State convention elects 18 delegates. These delegates will attend the Republican National Convention officially "Unpledged".

3 party leaders, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the chairman of the Washington's Republican Party, will attend the convention as unpledged delegates by virtue of their position.

Whitman County Republican Caucus Loctions (with contact name and phone number):

ALL CAUCUSES TO BE HELD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9 AT 1:00 PM

Check your voter registration card or call the Whitman County Auditor’s Office at (509) 397-6270 to verify your precinct before caucus day.

Tekoa #101
Farmington #103

127 S. Leslie
Tekoa 99033
Bunny Bippes & Wendy Sienknecht
509-284-3171

------------------------------------------------

Garfield #104

1008 Spokane St., Garfield
Susan Love
509-635-1250

------------------------------------------------

Oakesdale #102
Palouse #106
Palouse #107
Malden #150
Rosalia #151
Thornton #152

Oakesdale Fire Station #10
108 N. 1st. St.
Oakesdale
John Goyke
509-285-5333

------------------------------------------------

Colton #108
Uniontown #109

Colton School Library
706 Union Street
Colton
Eric Bean
509-229-3779

------------------------------------------------

Pullman #110
Pullman #111
Pullman #112
Pullman #113
Pullman #114
Pullman #115
Pullman #116
Pullman #117
Pullman #118
Pullman #119
Pullman #120
Pullman #121
Pullman #123
Pullman #124
Pullman #125
Pullman #126
Pullman #127
Pullman #128
Pullman #129
Pullman #130
Pullman #131
Pullman #132
Pullman #133
Pullman #134
Pullman #234
Pullman #235

Franklin Elementary School Cafeteria
850 SE Klemgard
Pullman
Susan Fagan
509-332-1702

------------------------------------------------

Pullman #122

345 N.W. Linda
Pullman
Ron Wachter
509-334-2591

------------------------------------------------

Steptoe #104
Colfax #136
Wilcox #138
Colfax #139
Colfax #140
Colfax #141
Colfax #142

Sterling Savings Bank
803 N. Main St.
Colfax 99111
Michael Largent
509-397-3205

------------------------------------------------

Colfax #137

Lustig Residence
4202 Ed Hamilton Road,
Endicott, 99125
Vangee Harrison
509-397-3353

------------------------------------------------

#143 Dusty
#144 Hay
#145 Hooper
#146 LaCrosse

LaCrosse City Hall
LaCrosse
Harmon Smith
509-549-3368

------------------------------------------------

Endicott #147

401 D Street
Endicott, 99125
Greg Burns
509-657-3640

------------------------------------------------

#148 Lamont
#149 St. John

4 West Short St.
St. John, 99171
Steve Naught
509-648-4091

Washington Caucus for Huckabee

Come join me in caucusing for Mike Huckabee at the Whitman County Republican Caucus in Pullman on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Franklin Elementary School Cafeteria at 850 SE Klemgard. If you don't live in Pullman, contact me at palousitics@adelphia.net for the location of your caucus site.

Whitman County Republican Caucus Locations

All precinct caucus statewide will start at 1 p.m., so be about a half hour early so you can get signed in.

Tekoa #101
Farmington #103

127 S. Leslie
Tekoa 99033
Bunny Bippes & Wendy Sienknecht
509-284-3171

------------------------------------------------

Garfield #104

1008 Spokane St., Garfield
Susan Love
509-635-1250

------------------------------------------------

Oakesdale #102
Palouse #106
Palouse #107
Malden #150
Rosalia #151
Thornton #152

Oakesdale Fire Station #10
108 N. 1st. St.
Oakesdale
John Goyke
509-285-5333

------------------------------------------------

Colton #108
Uniontown #109

Colton School Library
706 Union Street
Colton
Eric Bean
509-229-3779

------------------------------------------------

Pullman #110
Pullman #111
Pullman #112
Pullman #113
Pullman #114
Pullman #115
Pullman #116
Pullman #117
Pullman #118
Pullman #119
Pullman #120
Pullman #121
Pullman #123
Pullman #124
Pullman #125
Pullman #126
Pullman #127
Pullman #128
Pullman #129
Pullman #130
Pullman #131
Pullman #132
Pullman #133
Pullman #134
Pullman #234
Pullman #235

Franklin Elementary School
Cafeteria
850 SE Klemgard
Pullman
Susan Fagan
509-332-1702

------------------------------------------------

Pullman #122

345 N.W. Linda
Pullman
Ron Wachter
509-334-2591

------------------------------------------------

Steptoe #104
Colfax #136
Wilcox #138
Colfax #139
Colfax #140
Colfax #141
Colfax #142

Sterling Savings Bank
803 N. Main St.
Colfax
99111
Michael Largent
509-397-3205

------------------------------------------------

Colfax #137

Lustig Residence
4202 Ed Hamilton Road,
Endicott, 99125
Vangee Harrison
509-397-3353

------------------------------------------------

#143 Dusty
#144 Hay
#145 Hooper
#146 LaCrosse

LaCrosse City Hall
LaCrosse
Harmon Smith
509-549-3368

------------------------------------------------

Endicott #147

401 D Street
Endicott, 99125
Greg Burns
509-657-3640

------------------------------------------------

#148 Lamont
#149 St. John

4 West Short St.
St. John, 99171
Steve Naught
509-648-4091

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"Washington lawmakers bring back 1-percent cap; Whitman County officials hope Legislature revisits issue during upcoming session"

I missed this before as I was in Mexico when it happened.

The restoration of the 1% property tax cap established by I-747 during a special legislative session last month was a huge victory for the Washington State Republican Party and a huge loss for the Democrats. Even though the GOP is crippled with a historic low number of seats in Olympia, the specter of Dino Rossi winning the 2008 gubernatorial race and sweeping in more Republicans in the House and Senate with his coattails sent the Rats running away from their left-wing environmentalist/big labor special interest base and towards the taxpaying citizens of Washington. Thank God we still have a two-party system in this state.

From the November 30 edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Whitman County officials aren't surprised the Washington Legislature reinstated a 1-percent cap on annual property tax increases during a one-day special legislative session.

Gov. Chris Gregoire called for Thursday's special session in Olympia after the Washington Supreme Court ruled Initiative 747 and its 1-percent cap unconstitutional earlier this month.

Whitman County Commissioner Greg Partch said the cap makes it difficult for cities and counties to operate. He hopes the Legislature re-examines the cap when it convenes Jan. 14 and takes the interests of small taxing districts into account.

"I am really hoping during the session they really sit down and take a look at the effects," Partch said. "I think they will realize a lot of people are hurting - 1 percent does not cover it. (Olympia) does not live under a 1-percent cap, but they expect us to. I think it is rather interesting that they lift their caps and do what they want and then they expect local government to bear the brunt."

Whitman County and three nonprofit organizations challenged the constitutionality of I-747 in King County Superior Court in January 2005, claiming the voters were misled by the Voters' Pamphlet. The trial court ruled in favor of the challengers and the Supreme Court upheld the ruling, finding voters were deceived by the initiative and that the Voters' Pamphlet was ambiguous as to whether the effect of I-747 would generally lower the property tax levy limit by 1 percent or by 5 percent.

The ruling meant city and county governments and taxing districts could revert to the - percent limit that was in place before voters approved Initiative 747 in 2001.

Gregoire praised lawmakers for approving the cap and a second property tax relief bill, and said the measures would help soothe Washingtonians' worries about soaring tax bills.

"All of those legislators recognized the literal fear that is out there with regard to property taxes," she said.

Lawmakers were in session for less than 12 hours Thursday, rushing through a pair of bills that minority Republicans sometimes jeered. In the end, the Democrats' robust majorities and the politically touchy nature of tax votes ensured both measures would pass.

The main bill approved Thursday reinstates a 1-percent cap on annual property tax increases, which voters endorsed in 2001 under I-747.

Also enacted was a tax deferral program for people making less than the state's median income, presently about $57,000.

Both measures take effect immediately.

A handful of majority Democrats voted against the property tax cap in both chambers, saying a limit below the rate of inflation hurts local governments that are being squeezed to provide services.

The tax cap bill was "based on a flawed law that never should have been approved by the voters in the first place," said Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle.

Minority Republicans in both chambers seemed generally happy to vote for the tax cap, although some of them - along with GOP governor candidate Dino Rossi and anti-tax activist Tim Eyman - said the measure didn't go far enough.

The 1 percent cap under I-747 "has dampened tax increases. It hasn't stopped them," said Sen. Mike Carrel, R-Lakewood.

Thursday's vote in favor of the property tax cap bill was 86-8 in the House, and 39-9 in the Senate. In both cases, Democrats cast the only "no" votes.

The court ruling on I-747, which came just days after voters displayed a penny-pinching mood in the statewide election, prompted Gregoire to call the special session.

The initiative was sponsored by one of the Olympia establishment's biggest antagonists, anti-tax activist Eyman. It capped annual increases of certain property tax collections at 1 percent, unless voters approved a higher levy.

The property tax cap doesn't stop a homeowner's tax bill from increasing more than 1 percent per year.

Each taxing district affected by the cap can get its 1-percent increase. Some taxes, such as new construction and school levies, also aren't subject to the cap.

The state Department of Revenue estimates the average homeowner's property tax bill has climbed 5 percent per year in recent history.

Eyman criticized lawmakers just after the session got under way Thursday morning, saying Democrats weren't going far enough to limit property taxes.

About $100 million in old, unused taxing capacity - which Eyman unsuccessfully tried to wipe out with an earlier initiative - also should be repealed, he said.

"Gregoire and the Democrats don't care about the taxpayers. They're pretending to care about taxpayers," Eyman said.

Rossi and Republican lawmakers echoed that criticism.

Democratic leaders largely dismissed their complaints, but some said the issue could be part of a deeper look at property taxes expected once the Legislature returns in January.

Democrats, however, already appeared split on just what those reforms would look like.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said the 1-percent cap would be a closed issue after the special session. But Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, didn't rule out more changes.

"When we come into a new legislative session, all the property tax proposals will be on the table," Brown said.

Thursday's second bill, the tax deferral program for lower-income homeowners, was modeled after an existing plan for seniors and the disabled.

It would allow homeowners making less than the median state income to put off paying as much as half of their yearly property tax bill until their home is sold.

State dollars would replace what local governments normally would get, and the state would get repaid with interest when the property changes hands. There are some conditions for participating in the program.

Some Democrats and activists on the political left have been unhappy with the entire special session, saying it amounts to a politically calculated cave-in that gives a victory to anti-tax forces.

At a committee hearing earlier Thursday, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters spokesman Bud Sizemore said the 1 percent limit hurts local government.

"The business world wouldn't live with this, and I don't think that we should," Sizemore said.

QUICKREAD

IN AND OUT: Washington state legislators met in an unusual one-day mini-session Thursday to adopt two property tax relief measures. They convened at 8 a.m. and wrapped up less than 12 hours later despite political skirmishing.

747 FLIES AGAIN: Washington lawmakers reauthorized a 1-percent annual growth limit for property taxes. It was a reaction to the state Supreme Court throwing out similar provisions of Initiative 747 on technical grounds. House Bill 2416 was quite popular, passing 86-8 in the House and 39-9 in the Senate.

DEFERRAL TIME: Less popular was a voluntary program to let some property owners defer paying as much as half of their annual tax bill, to be repaid with interest at the time of sale. The Senate vote on Senate Bill 6178 was 27-21; the House vote was 55-39.

JUST A BEGINNING: House and Senate leaders say the broader issue of property tax equity and the needs of local government will be aired at the upcoming regular session.

GOVERNOR'S ROLE: Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Democrat locked in a potentially tough bid for re-election, called the special session and happily signed the bills Thursday night.