Senate approves 9.5 cent gas tax increase
OLYMPIA – The Washington Senate on Wednesday voted to boost the gas tax by 9.5 cents a gallon over the next four years as part of a massive $8 billion plan to fix the state’s crumbling, crowded transportation network.
The ambitious 16-year program would help finance “mega-projects” like replacing the rickety Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle and building a new state Route 520 bridge across Lake Washington. It also would provide cash for hundreds of highway and bridge projects, rail, ferries and other improvements.
Tolls, local taxes and weight fees on cars, light trucks and SUVs also are planned as the state continues to whittle away at a $50 billion backlog of projects, largely without federal help.
The fully implemented gas tax hike and weight fee would cost a motorist an additional $67 to $172 a year, depending on the size of the person’s vehicle.
Sponsors said the plan will save lives by fixing “killer highways” and failing bridges around the state, and will ease some of the nation’s worst traffic congestion.
Foes said the eye-popping project list and tax package are too ambitious. They tried unsuccessfully to refer the tax question to the voters.
After lengthy debate, the Senate vote was 26-22, one more than the bare minimum needed. The measure headed to the Democratic-controlled House, where Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said its fate is in some doubt. A vote will be scheduled before the Sunday night adjournment deadline, she said.
Majority Democrats in both chambers and Democratic Gov. Christine Gregoire have sought a bipartisan vote on the big tax package so their party doesn’t take a big hit at the next election.
In the Senate, seven Republicans, including some of the GOP leadership, joined 19 Democrats to pass the plan. Seven Democrats joined 15 Republicans in opposition.
In the House, Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, is asking Republicans to supply about 18 of the necessary 50 votes for passage.
The governor called it “a good vote,” but said she had wanted a greater show of bipartisanship. Lawmakers deserve credit for taking on such a politically volatile but important issue, she said.
She didn’t expressly endorse the new plan, telling reporters “We’ll see.”
About $3.5 billion of the ambitious plan would go to three projects in the greater Seattle area: the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle, a new Lake Washington bridge and major improvements on Interstate 405.
The viaduct’s large share, $2 billion, has emerged as both a selling point for the Seattle delegation and as a source of friction for those outside the region. Senate Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, said, “It’s a matter of when, not if” the double-decker span collapses in an earthquake.
The package of taxes and the projects list were negotiated by House and Senate transportation leaders after both chambers endorsed rival proposals. The plan also includes a new vehicle weight fee that would add $10 to the annual $30 car-tab fee for most cars. Heavier vehicles would pay $20 or $30.