Editor,

On Nov. 15 and Nov. 25, 2017, I wrote a letter to the editor concerning unlawful practices of our Island County assessor and of weaknesses in our state’s laws concerning property valuation for taxation.

I offered eight suggestions for improvements.

I offered my extensive experience to my three state legislators, Sen. Barbara Bailey, and Reps. Norma Smith and Dave Hayes.

With a new 60-day, short legislative session about to begin Jan. 8, I have received no response from any of our state legislators.

Do they care that the system is broken? Are other issues more pressing? Is multi-tasking possible?

Hayes, as early as the spring of 2017, promised to send me a draft of his proposed legislation draft concerning property valuation/taxation. I never saw it. What research has he done? Never even a phone call with me. Is funding of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Department — his “day job” — his top priority?

Bailey is a member of the State Ways and Means Committee that deals with taxation issues. She has shown almost no interest in my communications with her about this issue.

Our legislators need to represent their constituents. We all pay property taxes — even renters pay indirectly, unless in military housing. The existing system of real property valuation for taxation is corrupted.

Please, Hayes, Smith and Bailey, do respond. Let’s get something done to improve the property taxation system in our state this legislative session. I am willing to help identify problems and possible solutions. Are you?

Tim Verschuyl

Oak Harbor