The Suburban Times

A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County.

  • Home
  • To Know
  • To Do
  • To Ponder
  • Obituaries
  • Calendar
    • Submit an Event
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • More
    • Share your story
    • Submit an Event
    • Contact

Lakewood City Council Unanimously Opposes Proposition 1

October 22, 2013 By The Suburban Times

By Brent Champaco, Communications Manager, City of Lakewood

The Lakewood City Council on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution opposing the City of Tacoma’s Proposition 1, a Nov. 5 ballot measure that would likely force some utility customers in Lakewood to pay for fixes to their neighboring city’s streets.

After residents voiced their opposition to the measure – which would levy a 2-percent earnings tax on electric, telephone and gas utilities that would likely result in customers in Lakewood and other neighboring communities paying more – Lakewood leaders agreed the proposal would not benefit their residents.

The City of Lakewood received almost 30 e-mails over the weekend from residents opposed to Proposition 1, and another 10 residents spoke at Monday night’s public hearing.

Their message was clear: Lakewood residents shouldn’t have to pay for street improvements in another city.

Deputy Mayor Jason Whalen said the solution that the City of Tacoma has come up with, “unfortunately has a regional impact beyond the roads that Tacoma intends to repair.”

“We need to take care of our own first,” he added.

If passed, the ballot measure would levy a 2-percent earnings tax on natural gas, electric and phone companies for the sole purpose of funding basic, Tacoma-wide neighborhood street improvements and safety upgrades.

Utility companies may choose to pass this cost increase on to their customers through their rates, though the Tacoma City Council would have to approve any Tacoma Power rate change.

The Lakewood City Council joined residents,  neighboring communities, local business owners, as well as the Lakewood and Tacoma-Pierce County Chambers of Commerce, all of which say Proposition 1 is neither fair, nor is it good for local businesses.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)

Related

Comments

  1. Dee Roth says

    October 23, 2013 at 7:30 am

    Can a class action suit be taken against the City of Tacoma for this proposition?

Top Stories

  • New Italian sandwich spot opens with a killer deli and take-out case
    New Italian sandwich spot opens with a killer deli and take-out case
  • Suspect charged with Child Rape
    Suspect charged with Child Rape
  • Tacoma Residents Asked to Complete Tree Canopy Coverage Survey
    Tacoma Residents Asked to Complete Tree Canopy Coverage Survey
  • Kiara Daniels announces campaign for Tacoma City Council District 6
    Kiara Daniels announces campaign for Tacoma City Council District 6
  • Ria J. Johnson-Covington Seeks Open Lakewood City Council Seat
    Ria J. Johnson-Covington Seeks Open Lakewood City Council Seat

Become a better informed citizen.

Join over 30,000 readers each month and get real-local news and information direct to your inbox, Monday-Saturday.


Recent Comments

  • Scott Anderson on Ria J. Johnson-Covington Seeks Open Lakewood City Council Seat
  • William Elder on A Whole New Year!
  • William Elder on A Whole New Year!
  • William Elder on A Whole New Year!
  • William Elder on A Whole New Year!

Contact Us

The Suburban Times
P.O. Box 39099
Lakewood, WA 98496

Ben Sclair, Publisher
253-312-1804

Stephen Neufeld, Marketing Executive
stephen@thesubtimes.com

Copyright © 2021 The Suburban Times • Log in • Privacy Policy

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.