Zack Hudgins, D-Renton, reported to the Times/News that HB 3259 to put a moratorium on port property tax collections had passed the House. Frankly, "I am from Missouri" on that issue.

He referred to the PORT ASKING THE TAXPAYERS. If true that would be a real break for the taxpayers. The Port of Seattle has always taken tax dollars WITHOUT ASKING. This year the port property tax take has escalated to a record $73.6 million dollars.

Can you imagine the economic growth in King County if that $73.6 million was instead used by the county to provide two-year post high school education and training scholarships?

I have contacted several legislators on this property tax issue and their responses have always been that they cannot get anything constructive past port lobbyists.

We have a new Port Commission. Perhaps now is the time for the new Port Commission to fire those lobbyists. The Port must get off welfare!

Dan Caldwell

Des Moines