Resident urges Spokane County to adopt 0.1% sales-tax for housing under RCW 82.14.530 after federal safety-net cuts

A Spokane resident urged county commissioners on July 15 to consider imposing a local sales-and-use tax under state law to raise funds for affordable housing after federal cuts to safety-net programs. Becky Dickerhoof told the board that recent federal legislation enacted cuts to Medicaid and SNAP that will leave low-income households worse off and cited a Penn Wharton analysis estimating average reductions. She said, “Those in the lowest income group earning less than 18,000 a year would see a fifth a $165 reduction in their after tax, after transfer income.” Dickerhoof asked the commissioners to enact what she called a “15 90 tax,” referring to RCW 82.14.530, which allows a county legislative authority to impose a sales-and-use tax not to exceed one-tenth of 1 percent for housing. She said at least 60% of the revenue must be used for construction of housing and related services and the balance for operations and housing-related services. Why it matters: the request asks the county to use a statutory option to create local revenue for affordable housing in response to federal program reductions; adoption would require a formal ordinance and allocation plan under state rules. No motion was introduced during the meeting; the comment was entered into the public record for commissioners to consider later.