Democrat plan adds to gas tax

House plan calls for public vote on 8-cent increase

PATRICK CONDON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, February 22, 2002

OLYMPIA -- House Democrats want to ask voters for an 8-cent-a-gallon increase in the state's gasoline tax during the next two years, as the centerpiece of a $5.6 billion plan to relieve congestion and improve roads and highways across the state.

The plan rolled out Thursday calls for a June 20 public vote on the gas tax increase, though that's not set in stone. If passed by voters, the current 23-cent-a-gallon state gas tax would increase by 4 cents in October and another 4 cents in October 2003.

If passed by voters, the plan would also increase the sales tax on new and used vehicles by 0.8 percent, and would increase truck weight fees by 20 percent.

House Speaker Frank Chopp billed the plan as a "balancing act" that attempts to incorporate the concerns and priorities of the dozens of groups and officials who have tried over the past several years to fix the state's clogged and crumbling transportation network.

"Literally what's at stake here is the future of our economy," said Chopp, D-Seattle. "Right now we are seeing tough economic times across this state. We have got to deal with transportation for the future of this state."

The plan includes:

-$3.7 billion for congestion relief and road improvement projects.

-$765 million for public transit projects.

-$595 million for auto-only ferries and terminals.

-$333 million for local government road projects and maintenance.

-$148 million for improved shipping of goods to market.

In addition to funding dozens of projects during the next decade, the House Democratic plan sets up a new layer of oversight to ensure the new gas tax dollars are spent efficiently. The "Transportation Accountability Board" would be made up of citizens appointed by the governor to monitor the management of transportation projects, and report their findings to the Legislature.

"We believe the taxpayers want and deserve to know how their money is being spent and accounted for," said Rep. Sandra Romero, D-Olympia, who shepherded the accountability portion of the plan.

The plan is slated for a vote by the full House on Wednesday, and Chopp predicted it would pass with support from at least a few Republicans. Rep. Brian Hatfield, the Democratic floor leader, said that at least six Republicans have committed their support.

But Rep. Maryann Mitchell, the ranking House Republican on transportation issues, said Republicans have been discouraged in their efforts to contribute to the final product.

"It was presented today as some kind of bipartisan effort," said Mitchell, R-Federal Way. "It was not a bipartisan effort. They have not taken us seriously on the policy changes we'd like to make."

Last week, House Republicans suggested a 7-cents-a-gallon gas tax.

They'd also like to open car-pool lanes to all drivers on weekends, and privatize the operation of highway rest stops. Those and other measures would make the plan more attractive to voters, Mitchell said.

"If this isn't a bipartisan effort, they're going to have to sell it to the voters without us," Mitchell said. "We won't help them."

Still, Chopp pointed out that House Democrats have acceded to two major Republican demands: taking the plan to a public vote instead of passing the tax in Olympia, and repealing the local government share of the motor vehicle excise tax, which the House is expected to do today.

Senate Democrats and Gov. Gary Locke still are pushing for the Legislature to directly pass the tax. Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach, while praising the House Democratic plan as "a start," said when the issue lobs over to his chamber next week, he expects a direct vote on a tax increase.

"Will we have the votes? We'll see," Snyder said. "But we're going to try."

On the Web:

- Washington State Legislature

- Washington State Democrats

Sound Off at TheOlympian.com: How do we weather Washington state's budget crisis?

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to Taxes 2002 index