Bring your jammies…
Not an April Fool’s joke: Gov. Gary Locke, trying to pressure lawmakers to agree on new transportation taxes, is calling key lawmakers to his office Tuesday to negotiate late into the night.
“I’m prepared to stay up all night to make this happen,” Locke said.
If lawmakers agree, expect your gas to cost 3 to 5 cents more, starting in July. Truckers and anyone buying a new or used vehicle could also face higher fees.
Locke said every penny in additional gas tax, if used to pay off construction bonds over the next decade, equals $500 million. The resulting projects would ease congestion and provide jobs now, he says.
Many Republicans — particularly in the House of Representatives — want more dollar-stretching reforms first.
“I’m prepared to stay up all night to make this happen,” Locke said.
If lawmakers agree, expect your gas to cost 3 to 5 cents more, starting in July. Truckers and anyone buying a new or used vehicle could also face higher fees.
Locke said every penny in additional gas tax, if used to pay off construction bonds over the next decade, equals $500 million. The resulting projects would ease congestion and provide jobs now, he says.
Many Republicans — particularly in the House of Representatives — want more dollar-stretching reforms first.
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Eye On Olympia." Read all stories from this blog