Lawmakers face $2 billion difference over highways

Senate Democrats back higher gas tax

DAVID AMMONS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Originally published Sunday, March 3, 2002

OLYMPIA -- It's a taxing question for Washington lawmakers.

Senate Democrats unveiled their transportation finance package Saturday, and it's $2.2 billion higher than the House approved a day earlier.

And this kicker: The Senate wants lawmakers to pass it in Olympia, rather than submit it to the voters this spring.

The new Senate revenue plan, unveiled at an unusual weekend hearing of the Senate Transportation Committee, would provide $8.2 billion over the next decade for highways, ferries, local projects, rail, transit and freight projects.

It would be financed by a 9-cent gas tax increase, imposed in 3-cent increments each year, beginning Oct. 1. By contrast, the House envisions a 4-cent increase in October and another 4 cents a year later. The current rate, 23 cents a gallon, has not been raised since 1991.

The Senate plan includes much more for roads -- $6.6 billion, versus the House's $3.8 billion. One big difference is that the Senate includes $2.7 billion for the megaprojects on Interstate 405 and state Route 520, compared with the House's $730 million. The House does provide nearly double the Senate level for Seattle's megaproject, the Alaskan Way viaduct, $400 million versus $206 million.

Senate Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said the Senate is emphasizing roads and streets because the need is so great.

As for the higher revenue level, "the Senate has always felt we have to have enough money to really do the big projects of central Puget Sound ... and solve the problems all around the state," Haugen said. "We need to have enough to do both."

Haugen noted that the Senate had bipartisan support for a 10-cent gas tax increase last year. The $8 billion mark should be considered the minimum the Legislature should approve, she said.

Friday, House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said it's possible the House would boost its 8-cent plan, but that he's mindful that voters might not adopt a package if it gets too fat.

That brings up the other big policy difference between the two houses. The House voted to send the package to the voters in May or June. Haugen and many Senate leaders strongly believe lawmakers should adopt the plan in Olympia, fulfilling their duties as elected officials. Haugen said she has "heartburn" over the idea of spending $5 million for a special election during a recession.

"And if it goes down, then what do we do?" Haugen said.

She said she will try to convince the House to remove the requirement for a public vote. A number of witnesses urged the Senate to stick to that position. Gov. Gary Locke also is holding out for a vote in the Legislature.

Still, House leaders said that's highly unlikely and that the Senate will have to back down. Chopp said he's 15 votes short of the necessary 50 votes in the House to approve a package without the public vote.

On the Web:

- Washington State Treasurer

- Gov. Gary Locke

- Washington State Legislature

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