No rush on car tabs after transit ruling

Transit agency weighs higher registration fees

JIM CARLILE, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Saturday, February 16, 2002

OLYMPIA -- There was no rush to register cars in Thurston and Mason counties Friday, one day after the state Supreme Court ruled that transit agencies could add an excise tax to the vehicle registration fee.

"I took a poll of people working the counter," said Jackie Burnett, licensing supervisor for Mason County. "We haven't seen big crowds today. No more than usual."

Currently, the flat fee for car tabs is $30 plus a county auditor's fee of $3.50.

If you license your car outside of the Auditor's Office in Thurston or Mason counties, the subagent who licenses your car charges an additional $3.50 and keeps it.

So, registering a car can cost owners $33.50 or $37, depending on where one buys the tab.

If local transit taxes are restored, the owner of a four-door 2002 Honda Accord would pay an extra $183.43 to register, according to Department of Licensing officials.

The transit tax could come in six to nine months, said Brad Benfield, spokesman for the state Department of Licensing.

Repeal in works

However, several bills before the Legislature would repeal the transit tax.

Thurston County's Intercity Transit has not decided whether to collect the tax.

Thursday's ruling dealt with a law passed by the Legislature in 2000 to preserve $30 car tabs. The legislation came after Initiative 695 was ruled unconstitutional.

The purpose of I-695 was to reduce the motor vehicle excise tax to $30.

Tim Eyman and Monte Benham sponsored I-695. On Thursday, after the decision, they issued a statement: "Vehicle license tabs will skyrocket because of today's Supreme Court ruling."

But citizens didn't seem too concerned.

"We're not doing anything over and above what we normally do," said Corry Cavin of the Lacey Auto and Boat Licensing Agency.

Jim Carlile covers crime and public health for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5465 or jcarlile@ olympia.gannett.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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