Joint Citizen Commission for Performance Measurement of Tax Preferences Committee
Event Log
Joey Halverson — Joey Halverson is introduced as the first signed-up in-person witness on natural gas for transportation, and then he begins his testimony by identifying himself as the vice president of operations with Tote.
Tote Maritime Alaska representative — Begins testimony, but the speaker is not yet clearly identified in this brief segment.
Mr. Halverson — Commissioners ask whether anyone has questions for him before he leaves.
Michone Preston — Identified as the second witness, though the name is initially uncertain.
Michelle Preston — Michelle Preston, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Washington State, testifies in support of the JLARC report and the continued tax preference for Habitat affiliates. She explains that affiliate reporting is inconsistent across IRS 990s and audited statements, making it difficult to compare revenue with homeownership output, and notes that some affiliates were excluded from the report because of mergers or closures. She says COVID disrupted supply chains, donor cash flow, and retail-store operations, but revenues are recovering and the tax preference helped sustain affiliates—especially rural ones like Lake Chelan Habitat—while supporting Habitat’s mission and community economic impact. Preston also emphasizes that the report required extra analysis because of nonprofit reporting anomalies, supports considering a clearer reporting model and future tax exemptions for affordable homeownership developers, and notes that any new metrics should remain practical for decentralized affiliates to collect.
Ms. Preston — Ms. Preston clarifies that the nonprofit tax exemption is intended to remain with the low-income homeownership developer and does not transfer to the home buyer. She confirms that Habitat affiliates can meet any renewal period imposed, and the exchange concludes with the chair asking if there are any further questions and then thanking Ms. Preston for her testimony.
Pete Van Morsel — Pete Van Morsel of JLARC staff presents the process for adopting commissioner comments, walking the committee through the timeline and overview of next steps. The chair then opens the floor for questions, and Pete is thanked for his presentation and for the comments and materials he will submit to help frame the discussion and adoption of comments at the next meeting.