PRO-TAX traitors in the GOP? Not so fast

Did the Republican Senate betray the conservative grassroots? Let me summarize some emails/messages I’ve received:

1. The Senate GOP betrayed us by voting for a gas tax increase!
2. We have the highest gas tax in the nation!
3. There’s no difference between the Democrats and the Republicans!

Let me repeat what I’ve said on the air. I recognize that will hit those who travel long distances particularly hard in places like Eastern Washington. And I know what it’s like to feel sickened every time you fill up at the pump because you don’t have enough money and every $5 you spend on gas is $5 you’ll have to cut from somewhere else. So I am under no illusions as to what a gas tax increase can mean to people.

But as for a “betrayal”, I have been to MANY events for Republicans and the stated transportation position of the Majority caucus has been “we will not raise gas taxes WITHOUT getting certain reforms within the Department of Transportation.” In the current gas tax package, prevailing wage is partially reformed, the sales tax would no longer siphon gas tax dollars into the general fund and the DOT would have to consider “congestion relief” when choosing project priority–all reforms which were required. Therefore, while I share frustration that some of these things even have to be a part of any “deal”, it’s not a “betrayal” but it does highlight the issue we’ll address in #3.

2. We have one of the highest gas taxes in the nation! This is true, but unlike California and some of the other high-taxing states, we don’t ALSO have an income tax. Also, the current package blocks a tax that might have been imposed by executive fiat from governor Inslee (so-called “polluter tax” which is a tax on employers.) Let’s face it, this state has mismanaged projects for YEARS and is paying the costs on some of them. Again, it brings us to #3.

3. There’s NO DIFFERENCE between Republicans and Democrats! FALSE. All you need to do is look at what the Senate package was negotiating. You don’t have to support it, but you should look at it. Republicans were seeking traffic congestion relief, completed highways to improve economic growth in the state, and repairs for unsafe structures. Democrats fought to spend $240 million on bike lanes and walking trails. GOP members also sought reforms to make transportation dollars go farther for the taxpayer. Democrats sought to preserve legal mandates favoring their benefactors, Republicans sought to block an Inslee taxing scheme that would be IN ADDITION to any other taxes, Democrats wanted to keep it.

There’s more, but there are clear and undeniable differences.

I had the Republican head of the Senate Transportation Committee on my show to share his views and take your concerns. I put him on the air and posted it for online comment as well. I was stunned at how few people responded to the tax proposal. I even said at the time that the GOP needs taxpayers to be LOUD so that Democrats know how you feel about taxes (and they already want plenty more of them), but also so that negotiators are in a stronger position to demand common sense reforms AND better roads.

SO by all means, go over the deal and determine whether you think it’s worth it or not, but let’s not pretend that Republicans have made no difference or that they’ve betrayed their voters.

One more thing–now the ball’s in the Democrats’ court in the House so you can watch and see what their agenda is for even MORE evidence of differences. In the meantime, call your legislator and ask for answers and share your thoughts.