The Board of Directors of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce urges a “no” vote on Initiative Measure 4-247. While our members rank workforce housing among their top challenges, this measure will not solve it. Legal risk: Similar vacancy taxes elsewhere have drawn prompt legal challenges. The city would have to defend a law neither … More Board of Directors of the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce urges a “no” vote

The Boston Tea Party was formed in 1773 in protest of a tax on tea by the English Government, and escalated into the American Revolution. The Tea Party believed this was taxation without representation. The same is true today. Under the city of Astoria’s ballot title, Measure 4-247, if someone has not lived in a … More Terry Smith debates the ‘goodness’ of the VACTAX – the Astorian October 2026

The upcoming proposal and vote on the Vacancy Excise Tax has been incredibly divisive to the Astoria community. It is deeply troubling to me to see how a combination of unproven ideas and ideological thinking forms the basis of the pro-tax case, and that it has any support. This measure has pitched neighbor against neighbor … More Proposal Pits Neighbor Against Neighbor: Nancy Harrowitz, the Astorian: October 2026

I agree that our community needs more housing, and I support meaningful action to increase both supply and affordability. However, I am not convinced that a vacant residential excise tax, Measure 4-247, will accomplish that goal. Before creating a new tax and administrative program, we should prioritize strategies that directly address barriers preventing housing from … More There are better options for Astoria housing – Mike Brosius, the Astorian, October 2026

Measure 4-247’s Nonprofit Exemption Raises Questions Measure 4-247 would require Astoria residential property owners to file annual declarations concerning the use of their property and would impose a tax of $3,000 for a first taxable year and $6,000 for consecutive taxable years on residential units that do not meet the measure’s qualifying-use requirements. But one … More Vacancy Tax Non-profit Exemption – Questions but not many Answers

Make an educated vote. In an attempt to provide a series of arguments for opposing Ballot Measure 4-247, the vacancy tax proposal led by Andy Kipp and the Astoria Housing Initiative, we finally decided that the best response is to encourage Astoria residents to use the approach we were all taught in our school years … More Educate yourself on Astoria Ballot Measure 4-247

Before Astoria creates a vacancy tax, let’s look at the facts. The proposed vacancy tax, Measure 4-247, has become one of the most discussed issues in Astoria as voters prepare to consider it this November.I understand the goal. Housing affordability and availability are real concerns, and we should be looking for ways to make it … More Look at the facts before imposing vacancy tax: Courtney Bangs, the Astorian

Andy Kipp, recently moved to Astoria from Boston, MA, is running for Astoria City Council. This is the same man who wants to tax you extra for owning a residential property in Astoria and not using it as he sees fit. He just laid out his top priorities if he’s elected to City Council. His … More What does Andy Kipp Want? Daryl Moore – Facebook September 2026

Vote no: Protect voter authority in Astoria. Astoria’s City Charter is our bureaucratic fine print. It is the city’s constitution—the document that decides who holds power and how voters keep it. It is the People’s Document. For more than a century, the structure of that document has been simple and accountable: A mayor elected by … More Astoria Belongs to the Voters, Not the City Council – Lisa Morley, the Astorian

Neighbor helping neighbor is a cherished tradition — but it is voluntary. It is a person choosing to give time, money or assistance to someone in need. A tax is not charity. It compels one neighbor to surrender money officials will spend later. The “Vacant Home Tax” is misleading. It is a Use-Your-Home-Our-Way Tax. It … More Tax proposal’s 183-day standard is Nonsensical – Lisa Morley the Astorian September 2026