1 00:00:00,934 --> 00:00:03,269 -Hello, my name is Rob Foxcurran, and I'm running 2 00:00:03,269 --> 00:00:04,637 for King County Assessor. 3 00:00:04,637 --> 00:00:05,372 I grew up here. 4 00:00:05,372 --> 00:00:07,407 I graduated from Seattle Public Schools 5 00:00:07,407 --> 00:00:08,975 before graduating from the UW. 6 00:00:08,975 --> 00:00:11,611 Today, my wife and I live on Beacon Hill in Seattle with 7 00:00:11,611 --> 00:00:14,514 our soon-to-be two daughters, who I'm proud to say are both 8 00:00:14,514 --> 00:00:16,249 sixth-generation Seattleites. 9 00:00:16,249 --> 00:00:17,650 This is home. 10 00:00:17,650 --> 00:00:19,853 Now, whether you rent or own your home, 11 00:00:19,853 --> 00:00:21,788 costs keep rising, and property taxes 12 00:00:21,788 --> 00:00:23,390 are a part of that story. 13 00:00:23,390 --> 00:00:24,958 The assessor doesn't set tax rates, 14 00:00:24,958 --> 00:00:27,994 but they do determine the value of every property in the county. 15 00:00:27,994 --> 00:00:30,497 Those values shape what you pay. 16 00:00:30,497 --> 00:00:31,865 That's why I'm running. 17 00:00:31,865 --> 00:00:34,267 This is a technical office that requires real 18 00:00:34,267 --> 00:00:35,568 expertise to run well. 19 00:00:35,568 --> 00:00:37,237 I may not be an elected politician, 20 00:00:37,237 --> 00:00:40,073 but I am an expert and proven leader in my field. 21 00:00:40,073 --> 00:00:42,409 I'm the only candidate and progressive in this race 22 00:00:42,409 --> 00:00:44,677 that has spent over a decade as a certified general 23 00:00:44,677 --> 00:00:45,879 real estate appraiser. 24 00:00:45,879 --> 00:00:48,648 I currently serve as the City of Seattle's senior appraiser, 25 00:00:48,648 --> 00:00:51,184 where I'm also a shop steward with PROTEC17. 26 00:00:51,184 --> 00:00:54,087 For the past three years, I also served as a hearing examiner 27 00:00:54,087 --> 00:00:56,489 on the King County Board of Appeals and Equalization. 28 00:00:56,489 --> 00:00:59,893 That's where folks go to appeal their property's assessed value. 29 00:00:59,893 --> 00:01:01,528 There, I watched corporate landowners 30 00:01:01,528 --> 00:01:04,464 pay teams of consultants to help slash their tax bills. 31 00:01:04,464 --> 00:01:06,800 I've seen the system from every seat at the table. 32 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,569 I know where it works, and I know where it falls short. 33 00:01:09,569 --> 00:01:11,371 King County currently ranks near the bottom nationally 34 00:01:11,371 --> 00:01:13,306 in commercial property tax fairness. 35 00:01:13,306 --> 00:01:15,508 When the wealthiest corporations don't pay their share, 36 00:01:15,508 --> 00:01:18,411 that burden shifts directly onto your shoulders. 37 00:01:18,411 --> 00:01:20,847 We need a professional to balance these scales. 38 00:01:20,847 --> 00:01:24,250 My plan for real affordability includes three core shifts. 39 00:01:24,250 --> 00:01:25,819 First, we need modernized payments. 40 00:01:25,819 --> 00:01:27,253 I will fight for monthly payment options 41 00:01:27,253 --> 00:01:29,389 so families can actually budget. 42 00:01:29,389 --> 00:01:31,257 Second, we need to expand the county's efforts 43 00:01:31,257 --> 00:01:33,860 in signing seniors, veterans, and neighbors with disabilities 44 00:01:33,860 --> 00:01:37,063 up for the exemption programs they are already qualified for. 45 00:01:37,063 --> 00:01:40,066 And third, I'm pushing for a universal homestead exemption. 46 00:01:40,066 --> 00:01:41,034 What does that mean? 47 00:01:41,034 --> 00:01:44,337 It means that a portion of your primary residence, your home, 48 00:01:44,337 --> 00:01:46,039 is exempt from property taxes. 49 00:01:46,039 --> 00:01:47,107 Why does that matter? 50 00:01:47,107 --> 00:01:49,008 Because we're in the middle of a housing crisis 51 00:01:49,008 --> 00:01:50,910 and an affordability crisis, and no one should 52 00:01:50,910 --> 00:01:53,313 ever be taxed out of their own neighborhood. 53 00:01:53,313 --> 00:01:55,949 I'm Rob Foxcurran, candidate for King County Assessor, and 54 00:01:55,949 --> 00:01:58,451 I would be honored to earn your support in our effort to 55 00:01:58,451 --> 00:02:00,186 prioritize people over property. 56 00:02:00,186 --> 00:02:00,753 Thank you.