Citizen's Initiative for timber tax rate change.

[Goshawk]

I keep hearing a rumor that a citizen's initiative has been filed to create two tiers of timber land tax rates. One for open access and another for closed or pay to use. Anyone here know anything about it?
Thanks.

[Blacktail Sniper]

Tag

[billythekidrock]

I have not heard anything, but would love to know more and possibly help make it happen.

[trophyhunt]

That would be perfect!!! I hope it happens, I'll sign. It would be about time and it makes perfect sense, I wonder what the timber guys on here think about it (if any)?

[KFhunter]

This could be good as long as it doesn't mess with unincorperated private land owners under "xxx" acres and live on the property.


tax the hell out of cooperate timber companies if they don't allow public access 

[Elkaholic daWg]

This could be good as long as it doesn't mess with unincorperated private land owners under "xxx" acres and live on the property.


tax the hell out of cooperate timber companies if they don't allow public access 

 Sound good to me also

[mpetersen]

Haven't heard a thing about it but I would sign a petition to get this on the ballot !!

[Annette]

I hope they do, I'll get people to sign it!! Timber land giants have been walking on us for years!!

[snowpack]

Does it rescind a current tax break (already in place but being violated by the new permit systems) or create a whole new tax?  If the latter, I won't support.

[Mudman]

I would support it if written properly of course.  Devils in the details.  Let WEYCO see our WRATH!!

[ICEMAN]

I have yelled for this for years! Where do I sign?

[Goshawk]

What I heard is this.
IF WYCO does proceed with the sale of permission to access their lands, then that would create an “affected class of people” that would then start the initiative process. If they do not, then there are no “damaged parties” to proceed from.

I’m sure that besides hunters, just about everyone in the Puget Sound basin cities will happily pile onto something that gives open access for the tax breaks they enjoy. Not too much sympathy for WYCO and timber companies in Seattle these days.

And to answer a question about how it would be written, I don’t know. Haven’t seen anything yet, that’s why I’m looking. Companies like Manke Lumber Co. should be unaffected since they have an open to hunting policy. Others will have to figure out if it’s worth the public relations nightmare to fight it.

[bobcat]

The access permits go on sale today:

[fireweed]

What I heard is this.
IF WYCO does proceed with the sale of permission to access their lands, then that would create an “affected class of people” that would then start the initiative process. If they do not, then there are no “damaged parties” to proceed from.

I’m sure that besides hunters, just about everyone in the Puget Sound basin cities will happily pile onto something that gives open access for the tax breaks they enjoy. Not too much sympathy for WYCO and timber companies in Seattle these days.

And to answer a question about how it would be written, I don’t know. Haven’t seen anything yet, that’s why I’m looking. Companies like Manke Lumber Co. should be unaffected since they have an open to hunting policy. Others will have to figure out if it’s worth the public relations nightmare to fight it.

Hancock already does it so the affected class is already there.  I'm all in for an initiative (well written) or a proposed bill, or a series of bills that look at either the property tax value, or roll any income from leases and fees into the current timber excise tax.

[ctwiggs1]

On the flip side - our average 2x4 and plywood rates should see an increase when their overhead skyrockets because they are having to invest in more personnel to patrol and clean up the washing machines, fridges, beer cans.  Oh and mass inventory loss when forest fires hit.

I hate how much I have to pay to get in there. I REALLY hate it.... but man people are complete pricks when it comes to dumping in the forest.

Curtis