Sen. O’Ban proposes suspension of car tab fees during coronavirus crisis

Due to business closures and jobs lost during the pandemic, Washington state has seen a record high unemployment rate as so many people in our state are struggling to stay afloat. One thing hasn’t changed during this crisis: You still have to pay your car tab fees.

Republican State Senator Steve O’Ban told KIRO Radio’s Gee and Ursula Show about how he hopes to help change that.

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“People have been living paycheck to paycheck, and now those paychecks have ended,” O’Ban said. “Yes, they filed for unemployment, but that is only a fraction of what they actually made when had their jobs. And it’s coming in late, frankly. We need to provide more immediate relief.”

Car tab bills are still getting sent out as if I-976 never passed and as if people are in normal economic times, he said.

“We need to provide relief because I’ve got people who will tell me they’re having to make choices between groceries, literally buying groceries for their kids and families, and paying their car tabs,” O’Ban said. “This is something the government could do that’s tangible, that’s important.”

O’Ban said suspending the collection of car tabs during the coronavirus pandemic will send a message that those in charge hear the complaints of the public and want to do what they can do help.

As far as why someone would disagree with the suspension, O’Ban struggled to come up with an argument. The only point he could see is that the car tabs may be needed to pay for ongoing construction costs, but Sound Transit and Washington DOT have both suspended these projects for the time being.

“So while we’re all on hold, including recipients of the cab tab fees, there’s no better time,” O’Ban said.

Senator O’Ban explained that he is not asking for the return of money that, in his opinion, has been wrongfully collected since I-976 passed in November.

“I’m just asking at this point for a pretty reasonable thing and that’s suspension of those tabs,” he said.

This suspension would not impact the current legal challenge at the state Supreme Court. The decision to enact $30 car tabs would still have to it work its way through the court system, O’Ban said.

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“The governor has clearly extraordinary power in a state national emergency like this, he’s closed down businesses, a number of other things,” he added. “He certainly has power, I think, to provide tax relief in this form to Washingtonians.”

Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.