viaductconstruction980.jpg
House democrats are proposing both a gas tax and car tab tax to help fund a proposed $10 billion transportation plan.(WSDOT image)

House Dems push gas, car tab tax to pay $10 billion transportation plan

BY Tim Haeck  on February 20, 2013 @ 2:13 pm (Updated: 2:55 pm - 2/20/13 )

A transportation funding plan from Washington House democrats proposes almost $10 billion in projects statewide, but they're offering some controversial revenue sources to pay for it.

The centerpiece of the funding plan is a 10 cent increase in the gasoline tax that would be phased in. Transportation Committee chair Judy Clibborn thinks motorists can handle that.

"We're going to go 2 cents a year and we're going to raise it up and they will probably not notice it with all the fluctuations [in gas prices]." She says the gas tax is one of the few transportation funding options available.

"We don't have other choices, we don't have vehicle miles traveled, we don't have other choices," she said.

The funding plan would help reduce a backlog of maintenance that's part of an estimated $50 billion in state transportation needs. In addition to $1 billion for both the state and local governments to maintain infrastructure, the package would allocate about $3 billion to help fund new and existing road projects.

"If we continue to fund at the current maintenance and preservation levels, up to 50 percent of our state roads would be in poor or very poor condition in ten years," said Steve Mullen of Washington Roundtable.

Clibborn's plan also calls for $3 billion in new bonds, a new annual car tab fee, pegged at 0.7 percent of the vehicle's value and a $25 fee added to new bicycle sales.

If all the projects included in the package are fully funded, House Democrats estimate the proposal would create 56,000 jobs.

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
More Local News
Top Stories

  • Soda Pop Stop
    The mayors of Seattle, New York and about a dozen other cities want to ban this

  • 'I Am A God'
    Critics say Kanye West's album will change music forever

  • A Skeptic's Doubts
    An ESPN columnist doubts Russell Wilson will ever be elite
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (32)


  • Add A Comment

  • doubleogordo wrote...
    They are coming after the bicyclists now
    February 20, 2013 1:45 pm
    It was only a matter of time. $25 fee on new bikes? Uh oh, look out bicyclists, they are coming for you now. Welcome to the club.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Thats just a one time tax of 25
    February 20, 2013 1:55 pm
    for bikes over 500 bucks. They need a 25 fee per year for all bikes on the ROAD (Not bike trails/paths)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Str8Thinking wrote...
    If it passes be ready for bikes everywhere...
    February 20, 2013 2:40 pm
    There was always the complaint cyclists paid nothing and thus had no input/rights to be on the road. Well now that they paid one time small fee step back because they will feel entitled to ride everywhere and anywhere.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    They must all live
    February 20, 2013 1:57 pm
    in LA LA Land.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HLC wrote...
    I wonder where they will be working next.
    February 20, 2013 1:59 pm
    The next election should knock them in the head. We pay enough, eliminate the waste first.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Unfortunately
    February 20, 2013 2:42 pm
    The Bobble head "OH ITS A D, MUST VOTE" none-thinking need to be told how to vote Democrats will just re-elect the same idiots back again.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Left wing Parrots on these boards accuse house Republicans of being "Obstructionist"!
    February 20, 2013 2:10 pm
    I hope and pray that they live up to this reputation!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    The centerpiece of the funding plan is a 10 cent increase in the gasoline tax that would be phased in. Transportation Committee chair Judy Clibborn thinks motorists can handle that.
    February 20, 2013 2:13 pm
    When was the last time that little Liberal paid for gas out of her pocket? Much less got out and pumped her own gas?

    Filthy stinking tax and spend Liberals!

    You Parrots TWICE voted for this!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sohojo wrote...
    It's Interesting
    February 20, 2013 2:38 pm
    how they think in olympia. We pay more in taxes so we have less money to spend and we don't want to drive anywhere because it's too expensive, yet somehow the economy will thrive...I don't get it. Oh wait, this will create 56,000 temporary jobs..okay i get it now. Wow, this is scary. Pretty soon they will run out of other peoples money. Anybody in olympia thinking about the impact of Obamacare?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • flipper wrote...
    Nice-
    February 20, 2013 2:36 pm
    We don't pay enough (50% of our overall tab fees) for RTD that I DON'T USE AS A CAR DRIVER and now they want to add more taxes on my car to support the roads? How about taking my RTD monies and using them FOR THE ROAD, not for half filled buses?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "We don't have other choices"
    February 20, 2013 2:56 pm
    Yes you do, you just refuse to pursue other options!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    "they will probably not notice it with all the fluctuations [in gas prices]."
    February 20, 2013 2:57 pm
    what an arrogant condenscending statement!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Bucket Dad wrote...
    Coming next
    February 20, 2013 3:49 pm
    Tax on shoes.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • charbm wrote...
    Make the
    February 20, 2013 5:17 pm
    bus riders pay! Stop penalizing the people that already pay through the roof!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }