I'll Be Taxing You

Please call the legislative hotline to oppose the 12.2 Billion Dollar Gas Tax Increase this year; without a vote of the people and without the supermajority vote in Senate, as they voted to do this year. That 12 cent increase is a 33% increase just in gas tax-who knows how many other taxes they will raise, including the governors cap and trade tax he wants to evoke by executive order, that will increase gas taxes higher than this. It is easy for legislators to forget the promises of no new taxes, as well as the 30 car tabs we approved several times when in Olympia and no one calls with their views except the special interest groups and "contractors Association".  I can assure you just has I have managed without a cost of living raise for 5 years, the DOT can manage without a tax increase and the world will not end as they try to scare you with fear and doom. In fact most of that gas increase will go to special interest projects, interest payments, transit, trails and bike paths, rail, computers, King County; and does not address the millions of gas tax that goes into general fund through "sales taxes" it pays on all projects. The total maintenance budget is less than 10%.  Sure it would be nice for you to increase my wages by 33% as some think the gas tax should be increased by- but that is unrealistic- they need to work with what they have. Sadly, many people tune out the bills in Olympia until they are passed- then it is too late. Please stay informed and call your elected officials with your views- even if you  want more taxes or higher wage increases. Call 1-800-562-6000 during normal working hours. It only takes a minute of your time . 

I urge you to call your legislator at 1-800-562-6000 and oppose the transportation tax increase- it would increase gas tax by 11.7 cents a gallon (12 cents actually and a 33% INCREASE IN THAT TAX). This is even higher than last years increase request that was barely defeated last year. The new state tax would put our state at  49 cents a gallon-that tax alone is twice what I paid for gas when I started driving. It would put us as the highest gas tax in the nation according to the 2012 chart.  The special interest groups are spinning this for their benefit, calling it an investment and claiming you will not notice it? I can promise you the tax, if passed will not come down. This tax is separate from the Cap and Trade Tax that they want to impose as well. If passed, you will pay several times both in your tank, and in increased transportation costs.

Washington currently has the 7th-highest gas tax in the nation at 55.9 cents per gallon, according to the American Petroleum Institute. If an 11.7-cent per gallon increase is approved, that would move Washington to 67.6 cents per gallon -- second behind Pennsylvania at 68.9 cents per gallon.
If the increase were to be applied Monday, the average price for a gallon of regular in Washington would go from $2.72 per gallon (6th highest in the nation) to $2.83 per gallon (3rd highest).

Along with the gas tax increase, the revenue bill would also increase car-tab fees by $15 more in the program’s first year and then by an additional $8 in 2022. The classified skill examination fee for obtaining a commercial driver’s license would increase from $100 to $250

 History of Gas Tax

                         1991 increased to: 23.0¢/gal                        

     2003 increased by: 5.0¢/gal     
2003 New Rate: 28.0¢/gal

2005 increased by: 3.0¢/gal

2006 increased by: 3.0¢/gal
2007 increased by: 2.0¢/gal
    2008 increased by: 1.5¢/gal    
2008 New Rate: 37.5¢/gal

                     2015 Increase by 11.7 cent  a  gallon--- 
unless you stop It!

This is a transcript of what our elected officials discussed to pass this. I do not know if they had a super majority or not- it is crazy to even think it is not a new tax,  let alone to not let the people vote on this big tax increase......

Democratic Sen. Annette Cleveland asked Lt. Gov. Brad Owen if the proposal to raise the gas tax requires approval of two-thirds of members based upon a rule change made on the first day of session.

The rule change, which was passed off the floor by the mostly Republican Senate Majority Coalition Caucus, includes a clause that would require bills with a new tax to get a two-thirds supermajority approval of the Senate before advancing to third reading.

Republican Sen. Curtis King responded to Cleveland’s question by saying he believes the gas taxes in the package are “existing taxes and therefore would not fall under that guideline.”

Following a break, Sen. Joe Fain told members the Senate will hold off on the transportation package until Monday to give Owen time to make his decision.

(update- Owen now claims they do not have to follow that rule even though they voted it in on themselves. Tim Eyeman has come out with an iniative to address that issue that you will be asked to sign- I already received a sign up sheet)

Update; July 2015

The Legislature passed a $16 billion transportation gas tax revenue package. Taxpayers in Washington state will pay about $13.60 in state and federal gas taxes every time they pull up to the gas pump for 20 gallons of gas. It will be the second highest gas tax in the nation when it is fully implemented. It isn't just the gas tax either - we will see weight and license fee increases, and this plan falls disproportionately on the residents in rural areas who commute long distances. The Federal Government now wants to increase the federal gas tax by 15 cents a gallon on top of our present taxes. The Good News: The state gas tax does not start until August lst.  The other good news, Cary Condotta and Brad Hawkins voted against the gas tax in Olympia- Thank you Representatives for listening and your wisdom.