I was disappointed to see two major errors in the December 4 Highline Times regarding the recent special legislative session.

First, my no vote on the misguided property tax deferral bill (SB 6178) was erroneously reported as a yes. I voted against the bill because I felt it was a hasty proposal that could have negative consequences for homeowners.

I am frankly surprised that the article misstated something so simple, yet so important.

Second, my position on I-747-to reinstate the 1 percent limit on property taxes-was mangled just as badly. My call for progressive tax reform in 2008 was a call for a serious discussion of balancing who pays what taxes so we have less reliance on property, sales and B & O tax, and to address soaring property assessments.

Real, progressive property tax reform must tackle the skyrocketing increases that lead to higher tax bills. I-747 by itself cannot address the problem, and the increasingly regressive nature of our tax system.

Prior to session I solicited and received hundreds of constituent opinions regarding the bills to be voted upon, and afterwards I provided an explanation of why I chose to vote the way I did. I was astounded to be criticized by this newspaper for voting in accordance with the wishes of an overwhelming majority of the people I represent, instead of voting in line with my personal opinion that I-747 is flawed policy.

Comparing my vote to the Supreme Court decision that threw out I-747 turns the world upside down. The court opinion assumed that the public was ignorant of what they were voting for. My vote reflected the conviction that my constituents did know what they wanted and what they were voting for.

I strongly believe, and my record shows, that lawmakers can do much more to make state government more efficient, accountable and affordable. Diatribes against unnamed "tax and spend liberals" won't get us to that goal. Smart policies and a spirit of bipartisan cooperation will. You will find that spirit reflected in my record of service to the people.

Rep. Shay Schual-Berke, M.D.

_Normandy Park

33rd Legislative District

(Editor's note: Rep. Schual-Berke's "no" vote on the property tax deferral bill (SB 6178) was correctly reported to the Times/News by WashingtonVotes.com. It was incorrectly published, however, as the result of an editing error.)