The campaign for King County Proposition 1 - the Veterans and Healthy Communities Levy - was officially launched last week.

Proposition 1 would increase funding for health and human services - an estimated $13.3 million a year for six years - by raising the county's property tax by 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.The average homeowner would pay about $15 more in property tax on a $300,000 home.

Backers of the Veterans and Healthy Communities Levy said it is supported by community leaders, Democratic and Republican elected officials, businesses, human service providers, church leaders and veterans.

"We know that with growing demands for elder care, affordable housing, crisis lines, after school programs, post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, and more, we will be unable, in the near future, to meet those needs without additional revenues," said King County Councilwoman Julia Patterson (D-SeaTac), a member of the campaign committee.

"This campaign will raise public awareness about the people helped by the levy and will inspire residents to vote compassionately in the name of veterans and our county's most vulnerable."

The levy would generate about $80 million to help shelter domestic violence victims and their children; provide at-home care for seniors and the disabled; treat and support our returning veterans and those who have served in prior conflicts; fund after school and mentor programs for kids; and much more.

"King County, like the state and federal government, has, by law, a responsibility to our veterans," said Vietnam veteran Bill Wood, chairman of the King County Veterans Advisory Board and member of the campaign committee.

"The Veterans and Healthy Communities Levy will provide post-traumatic stress disorder counseling, employment training and placement, housing assistance for the thousands of homeless vets and help in accessing state and federal services for which vets are eligible.

"After fighting bravely for our country, we owe them our support and assistance."

Levy proceeds would be divided evenly into two separate accounts and have oversight from two separate independent citizen boards.

One would address the immediate needs of families with loved ones overseas and the veterans of present and past conflicts; the other would help the disadvantaged struggling to meet everyday needs.

For more information, go to www.voteyesonprop1.com or email Yesonprop1@yahoo.com.