Governor signs two property tax relief bills after quick session

Published 12:01 am Friday, November 30, 2007

By Curt Woodward, The Associated Press

OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire signed two property tax relief bills into law Thursday night, after the Democrat-dominated Legislature reinstated an initiative thrown out by the courts earlier this month.

Meeting in a special session called by Gregoire, lawmakers bowed to the will of voters who originally approved a 1 percent cap on annual property tax increases under Initiative 747.

The special session adjourned about 7:30 p.m., making the whole affair less than 12 hours long.

The measures take effect immediately.

Legislative leaders promised that Thursday’s special session wouldn’t be the last word in property tax reform – lawmakers will be back in Olympia for a regular session in early January.