![[Photo: Lloyd Hara]](http://lloydhara.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/lloyd-100image.jpg?w=180)
Port Commissioner Lloyd Hara authorized the following press release tonight, announcing his move from the Port Commission reelection contest to the newly-open race for King County Assessor:
May 25, 2009
For Immediate Release
Contract: Lloyd Hara
(206) 726-8053Citing Noble Departure, Hara Jumps into Sudden King County Assessor Race
Citing the expected resignation by Scott Noble as King County Assessor and a ground swell of support to run for the office, Port Commissioner and former Seattle Treasurer Lloyd Hara announced today that he would run for the soon to be vacant position.
“This is a critical job at a critical time,” said Hara of the King County Assessor’s office. “Taxpayers are looking for someone who can run the office in their interest and will have the public’s trust. I have the experience running a very similar office, and I have a record of being a champion for taxpayers.”
A Seattle native, Hara served as Seattle City Treasurer from 1980 to 1992. His outstanding performance was noted by the Government Finance Officers Association, the Association of Government Accountants and the Municipal Treasurers Association of the US and Canada. He served as regional director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency during the Clinton Administration. Hara was elected to the Port of Seattle Commission in 2005.
“ Taxpayers are looking for a King County Assessor who understands the value of a dollar,” noted Hara, “and understands what’s happened over the past year to homeowners’ property values. Taxpayers deserve a fair shake.”
Hara said a number of people encouraged him to seek the Assessor’s office. Hara spent Memorial Day weekend responding to dozens of emails and calls from supporters who received a weekend email asking their advice.
“We need a steady hand as Assessor,” wrote one respondent. “We need serious change in leadership at the County,” said another supporter. ”If you are up for it…, then go for it.” “Go for Assessor, Lloyd,” another person wrote. “This is a very difficult time and many who have voted for tax increases are now asking specific questions and voicing concerns that they cannot afford to be taxed further.”
“It has been very humbling to have so many people take time from their holiday weekend to encourage me to run for Assessor,” Hara said.
The local Carpenters Union, House Speaker Frank Chopp and State Representative Maralyn Chase have already endorsed him.
If elected, Hara said he would begin immediately to try to bring homeowners’ property taxes more in line with present market values. “We cannot expect taxpayers to shoulder an unfair property tax burden when so many of our neighbors are either out of work or struggling to pay their mortgage and taxes.”
Because of his past public sector experience, including a stint as King County Auditor, Hara said he could step into the job without requiring a lot of startup time. “I’ve worked with both executive and legislative branches of local government,” said Hara. “I have a reputation of being tough-minded and plain spoken.
“I tell it like I see it — and I stay above petty partisan politics. I fight for what is fair and just.”
Hara says he thinks that’s the kind of person taxpayers want as King County Assessor. “They want someone who will fight for taxpayers and make sure property taxes are set in a fair and just manner. This office is too important to put in inexperienced or untested hands.”
As one supporter wrote to Hara, “I’m sure you’ll learn even before you’re on the job and give us the straight scoop any time we ask.”
– 30 –
See the front page for a personal statement from Lloyd. Comments are open — please use the Reply box to share your opinions on this development.
Filed under: campaign News
I plan to vote for Hara, he will be a great assessor.
I just received a call from the Hara campaign asking for my vote at the endorsement meeting. I have read the website and find Lloyd’s qualifications to be impressive. I have a policy question that I would like to have answered.
About 15-18% of a tenant’s rent payment pays the landlord’s property tax. If the landlord’s assessment, and therefore property taxes, are reduced, please explain what rebate program or other means can assure that the savings is passed on to the tenant, whose income is the source of the tax payment. Currently, the money comes from the tenant’s income, but it is the landlord, and not the tenant, who get the itemized deduction. Furthermore, a recent bill in Congress allowed property owners who don’t itemize to have a special property tax deduction. No such tax break was passed for renters. It seems that property tax reform is just a shift of taxation from home owners to renters. How is your assessment plan going to protect tenants in this regard? Please address this issue at the 48th LD meeting.
As a small business owner and concerned King County citizen and taxpayer, I’m happy to support Lloyd Hara for King County Assessor. I’m planning to do everything I can to raise awareness of Lloyd’s candidacy and persuade my friends and business associates to vote for him!
I endorse Hara for assessor.
Comments are open. We received more than 100 individual responses to last week’s invitation to supporters to express their opinions on the choice of races before this day of decision.
We’ll publish a broad sampling of these in a later post.