It’s unfortunate that both the Voters Pamphlet statements for and against Burien’s resoundingly defeated $25 vehicle license fee were either misleading or wrong.

Opposition statements were simply wrong: Burien’s property tax ranks 19th in King County, not 2nd (out of 39 cities); the fire station bond was proposed by Fire District #2, not the city of Burien; and Burien has a balanced budget (deficit budgets are unlawful). It would be nice if tax opponents would stick to the truth rather than wild fantasy.

Support statements were misleading: while Burien’s property tax is not among the county’s highest, Burien imposes a host of other taxes that change the picture — a 6% tax on utilities (electicity, natural gas, telephone, cell phone, cable TV , internet), a franchise fee on garbage charges, a business tax on gross income (no deductions), a business license fee, a parking tax, a rental car tax, an admissions tax, and many more. Neighboring cities impose none of these or lower taxes. During my 8 years on the council, I voted for all of them. So, the tax matter is not so cut and dried.

As to the 1% property tax increase being considered by the city council, that is the limit the city can impose WITHOUT a vote of the people — a previous gift from Tim Eyman and the tax haters [council authority used to be 6%]. In the guise of the stealth Transportation Benefit District, the city council is also empowered to impose a $20 vehicle license fee WITHOUT voter approval.

The price of democracy is eternal vigilance and I urge every voter to pay attention — get the facts and cut the fantasy.

The city council, sans disguise, can increase property taxes by 1% WITHOUT a vote of the people.

While the country and the city are in a deep recession, public needs and the costs of providing them generally do not go down. Sales taxes from the auto dealers historically supported our quality public services — no more.

I wholly support increasing property taxes by the 1% allowed by (a stupid) law. But let’s not rebuke the voters by imposing the $20 fee available to the council.