Seattle Press on Line - House passes compromise transportation plan

House passes compromise transportation plan

Nixon: ‘It’s a runaround’

OLYMPIA—The 4-cent gas-tax increase and collection of vehicle-related fees approved Tuesday by the House won't result in the transportation solutions Washington residents want, according to Rep. Toby Nixon (R-Kirkland).

"This is a low-calorie version of Referendum 51 – another plan that imposes taxes first and puts reforms off for later. The only difference is the tax rate. I don't see how this is going to earn the public's trust, especially since the bill that would raise the tax is worded to prevent citizens from challenging the tax increase," Nixon said.

Nixon, a member of the House Transportation Committee, opposed the transportation package last week when it proposed a 3-cent gas tax increase. The 4-cent increase adopted Tuesday, by a 51-46 vote, would raise more money to invest in traffic-congestion relief.

“That's of little help without reforms that would ensure the tax revenue is spent efficiently,” Nixon said.

"Do we need to invest in our transportation system? Of course. But I want to see reforms come before any new investment, to make that revenue go as far as it possibly can. The package passed today isn't going to deliver the solutions the taxpayers are hoping to see," Nixon added.

Nixon pointed out that a section of the package's funding bill, House Bill 2231, would declare an emergency that effectively protects the tax increase from being repealed through a citizen referendum.

"Last year the Speaker of the House insisted that the people should have the right to vote on a gas tax. This year his party has gone to the other extreme, running around the voters with a bill that takes away their constitutional right to referendum," Nixon said. "Wouldn't it make more sense instead to adopt a transportation package that the citizens will support, so they don't have to challenge it?"

Nixon's amendment to exempt environmentally friendly biodiesel fuel from the increased tax was rejected.

"We've already passed several bills supporting the production of biodiesel. I thought it would make sense to encourage the consumption of biodiesel by limiting the tax on it, but I was told to try again next year," Nixon said.

House of Representatives release, April 8

Apr 10, 2003 --

OLYMPIA—The State House of Representatives approved Tuesday a transportation revenue and spending plan to fund over $3 billion in pressing safety, congestion-relief, and mobility projects throughout the state. The plan increases gas taxes by four cents over 4 years.

Rep. Ed Murray (D-Seattle), chair of the House Transportation Committee, said the bill is an attempt at compromise. "Given the reality of Referendum 51, we must start out with a modest and moderate proposal and that is what this revenue package is,” he said.

Referendum 51, rejected by voters last year, proposed a 9-cent gas tax increase, a 30 percent truck weight fee increase and a one percent tax on sale of new and used cars. The money collected—$7.7 billion—would have funded a series of transportation projects statewide.

The $3 billion statewide plan passed by the House last Tuesday would invest:

• $2,445 million in highway safety, preservation and improvement projects, including auto ferries

• $346 million in mobility funding including public transportation

• $257 million for passenger and freight rail projects

The House plan relies on a four-cent gas tax increase over four years, a vehicle transfer tax of 0.46 percent, a 15 percent gross weight surcharge for trucks, and a $20 vehicle license retention fee.

"This is about leadership and the future of our state economy," Rep. Mike Cooper (D-Edmonds) said. "The revenue in this package will create 12,000 projected new jobs. That means 12,000 more people will be working in an industry that has an unemployment rate of 30 percent.”

The transportation measures passed by the House Tuesday include:

• HB 1163 - 2003-2005 Transportation budget (Passed 57-40)

• HB 2231 - Transportation revenue plan (Passed 51-46)

• SB 5248 - Prevailing wage/contracting out reforms (Passed 53-43)

• HB 2215 - Authorizes auto dealers to charge documentary service fees (Passed 66-31)

• HB 2228 - Extending commute trip reduction incentives (Passed 91-5)

• HB 2229 - Assisting under-funded transit agencies (Passed 59-37)

House of Representatives release, April 8

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