Flyer distorts facts

This letter is in response to a flyer I received from Washington State Democratic Central Committee. The flyer concerns the 2nd Congressional race between John Koster (Republican) and Rick Larsen (Democrat). It attacks Koster for not voting for a $200 reduction in property taxes for seniors, however; instead he voted for a $500 reduction and total elimination for low-income seniors. Koster has consistently supported property tax reduction.

The problem with the flyer, besides its distorted facts, is that Rick Larsen has a consistent record of voting for the maximum tax increases possible. Larsen endorsed the Ascent 21 tax proposal that would have raised property taxes, gas taxes and new home taxes for all taxpayers including senior citizens. Larsen, in two years of office, voted to raise Snohomish County’s spending by 43 percent – paid for by all citizens including seniors of all income levels. Larsen has voted for property tax increases both years he has been in office – paid by all, including senior citizens.

The hypocrisy of the flyer is Koster has consistently voted to control or decrease taxes while Larsen has voted for almost every tax increase put in front of him. If the Democrats want to be honest to the voters they should have sent the flyer supporting Larsen’s votes on tax increases.

The flyer does hit home on one issue; property taxes are going up so much that senior citizens who try to retire in Rick Larsen’s Snohomish County cannot afford to live here.

Stanwood