WA Dems Ignore Complaints About Out-Of-State Gas Tax
Listen
Read
Majority Democrats in the Washington Legislature appear unbowed by complaints from Oregon, Idaho and Alaska over a targeted new fuel tax. The proposed tax would be on gasoline and diesel exported to neighboring states from Washington refineries.
The proposed 6 cents per gallon exported fuel tax would raise two billion dollars over 16 years from out-of-state drivers to pay for a range of transportation infrastructure inside Washington. The tax proposal has stoked bipartisan anger and threats of retaliation in recent days from politicians in Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
Sympathetic Republicans in the Washington Legislature tried for a third time on Tuesday to strip the offending tax out of the larger transportation spending and revenue package.
“We certainly don’t want to get into a trade war or lengthy litigation that would otherwise diminish our ability to move forward,” said State Rep. Eric Robertson.
But the tax on vehicle fuel delivered out of state stays in the larger package for now. The vote in the House committee to keep it was close though, 15-14.
Related Stories:
Democratic lawmakers steer pay-per-mile into slow lane to replace gas tax, eventually
Would you prefer to pay a couple of cents for every mile you drive in exchange for not having to pay gas tax or those steep electric car registration fees? A mileage-based tax is the top choice of Pacific Northwest policymakers to make up for the long-term decline in gas tax revenue. But imposition of any new tax tends to be politically fraught, and this one is no exception. Continue Reading Democratic lawmakers steer pay-per-mile into slow lane to replace gas tax, eventually
Out-Of-State Fuel Tax Runs Out Of Gas in WA Legislature
A controversial tax on Washington State fuel shipped to other states was shot down by lawmakers CREDIT: Mark Lennihan/AP Listen Read A proposed tax on gasoline and diesel delivered to… Continue Reading Out-Of-State Fuel Tax Runs Out Of Gas in WA Legislature
Washington State Legislators Propose Tax On Oregon Drivers’ Fuel
Democrats in charge of the Washington Legislature are proposing a new tax on gasoline and diesel fuel destined for Oregon, Idaho and Alaska to partially pay for a cornucopia of highway, transit, rail, bike trail and ferry construction across Washington state. The “exported fuel tax” was included in a transportation spending and revenue package unveiled Tuesday in Olympia. Continue Reading Washington State Legislators Propose Tax On Oregon Drivers’ Fuel
