Write About Tax Increases on Ballot

The Pierce County Council invites members of the public to apply for positions on the committees that will write "for" and "against" statements in the voters' pamphlet about a ballot measure regarding tax increases. The Council recently voted to put a proposed amendment to the Pierce County Charter on the Nov. 6 ballot. If approved, the amendment would require a two-thirds vote of the Council (five out of seven members) to raise new taxes after Jan. 1, 2013. The current threshold is a simple majority of four votes. Under state law, the Council has the authority to appoint up to three members to each committee. The Chamber encourages and the Council invites people who want to participate to submit letters of interest by July 2, 2012. Letters should be sent to Denise Johnson, Clerk of the Council, 930 Tacoma Ave. S, Room 1046, Tacoma, WA 98402 or djohnso@co.pierce.wa.us. Please send a copy to Gary Brackett, Tacoma-Pierce Co. Chamber, P.O.Box 1933, Tacoma, WA  98401 or garyb@tacomachamber.org. The Council intends to select the members by Resolution at a public hearing on July 10, 2012. Once selected by the Council, the two committees have until Aug. 7 to submit the ballot statements to the County Auditor. More information about the proposal, Ordinance 2012-15s, is available here.