Story Photos
 Photo by Bill Wagner If voters repeal the gas tax, several transportation projects would be in jeopardy, including a $45 million plan to revamp the Longview Wye, shown here. |
Get rid of the gas tax?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005 11:38 PM PDT
By Don Jenkins
Printable version
E-mail this articleThe campaign to roll back Washington's gas-tax increase relies on citizens such as Longview resident Lyle Patterson, who is better known for winning basketball games than backing political causes.
Patterson led Naselle High School to 623 wins over 32 seasons and retired in 1997 as the second-winningest coach in state history. He said he doesn't usually donate to many political causes.
But he gave $30 in May and another $25 in September to support Initiative 912. If passed, the measure would repeal a 9.5 cent per gallon tax increase that's to be phased in over four years.
"I just think that with the price (of gas) what it is, maybe it would be a better time later," Patterson said. "It may not seem like much to a senator in Olympia, but it might be a lot to a guy making a living driving a truck."
The first 3 cents went into effect July 1, taking the state's tax on gasoline to 31 cents a gallon.
The tax increase supports an $8.5 billion, 16-year transportation improvement plan, which includes $45 million to reconstruct the Interstate 5 interchange at Longview's south entrance, known locally as the Longview Wye.
Repealing the gas-tax hike wouldn't completely wipe out the statewide plan.
Higher taxes on diesel fuel, and increases in weight and license fees would remain in place. There would be $3 billion in new revenue. Allocating the smaller amount likely would be a topic for the Legislature next year.
Fanned by the winds of Seattle's conservative talk radio and funded by thousands of small donors, the Yes912.com campaign has raised about $145,000 in cash, according to the Public Disclosure Commission.
Meanwhile, the campaign against I-912 has raised more than $1 million and boasts a different type of donor list.
Business and labor lobbied legislators for the transportation plan, and they are funding its defense now.
The Washington Asphalt Pavement Association alone has contributed $107,000.
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Microsoft Corp., the Seattle Mariners and Western Wireless chief executive John Stanton have all donated more than $50,000 apiece.
Opponents of I-912 argue that the gas-tax increase will pay for projects vital for public safety and the economy, and delay will make them more expensive.
They also argue that lowering the gas tax won't translate into savings at the pump --- oil companies will see to that.
Meanwhile, detractors say the state should make do with current revenues.
The Washington State Republican Party has endorsed I-912 and repeal of the gas tax --- rubbing in the intraparty criticism already faced by the 18 (out of 66) GOP state lawmakers who voted for the tax.
"I keep on twisting in the wind," said freshman House member Richard Curtis, R-La Center.
Curtis said he doesn't like to talk about voting for the gas tax but launched into a spirited defense of it. He said his 18th District, which includes Kalama and other parts of Cowlitz County, including Toutle, will benefit.
He also said the King County projects are important for all of Washington.
"It's a state we live in. We all take care of each other when another part needs help. That's how we stay a strong state," he said. "I think we forget we belong to a bigger picture."
The more-established Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, also voted for the tax and shrugs off his party's endorsement of repealing it.
"I haven't paid a lot of attention to the party," he said.
Zarelli was the Senate Republican in charge of leading the criticism against Democrats who raised taxes for the operating budget.
But Zarelli was one of seven GOP senators who voted for the gas tax after Democrats grudgingly accepted his amendment to set aside $4 million to fund performance audits of transportation projects.
"My party's faithful have wanted that forever," Zarelli said.
Zarelli pointed out that gas tax is constitutionally committed to highways and said it's only a matter of time before improvements must be made.
"What I learned was we have a lot of catching up to do," Zarelli said. "I'm still waiting to hear a different way of getting it done."
The gas-tax vote provided the dramatic highlight of the end of the 2005 session.
Legislators sold the gas-tax increase as a lifesaving measure, warning the Alaska Way Viaduct might crumble and the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge might sink if an earthquake struck Seattle.
To win votes, leaders of the House and Senate transportation committees doled out money for unfunded projects in legislative districts around the state. Legislators threatened to vote against the gas tax if their home districts weren't taken care of.
Out of this process came the $45 million for revamping the I-5 and State Route 423 interchange -- the Longview Wye.
A better connection will improve safety, prevent congestion problems from developing, and open privately owned land for commercial development, Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments transportation planner Rosemary Siipola said.
Still, the interchange would be a low priority for the state's existing revenues because congestion is much worse in other places, she said.
If the gas-tax increase is repealed, local governments might be able to patch together funding from state and federal governments and gradually phase-in improvements, Siipola said.
But building the entire interchange might take decades, she said. "This is not a state priority. It's been a locally driven project."
Jim Goodwin, 62, of Longview said the interchange shouldn't even be a local priority. "There's nothing wrong with it," said the retired Longview Fibre Co. foreman.
Goodwin donated $50 to Yes912.com. He argues that the Longview interchange is safe enough, and there's vacant industrial land in Longview that should fill up before taxpayers open more.
He also shares the basic premise that has fueled I-912 from the start.
"I vote against all taxes, always," Goodwin said. "The government has too much money now and finds ways to waste it."
Questions and answers about Initiative 912:
Q: What kind of tax cut are we talking about?
A: I-912 would roll back the 3-cent-a-gallon tax hike that went into effect July 1. It also would eliminate the scheduled increases of 3 cents next year, 2 cents in 2007 and 1.5 cents in 2008.
Q: How much would that save me?
A: Average motorist would save $16 a year by eliminating the first 3 cents. The estimated cost for the full 9.5-cent plan is about $52 a year.
Q: What would the gas tax be if I-912 passes?
A: 28 cents a gallon.
Q: Is Washington already No. 1 for its gas-tax level?
A: No. The current 31 cents puts the state in a tie with Rhode Island for 8th.
Q: What does the 31 cents go for?
A: Cities and counties get 11.5 cents and the rest goes to maintain and improve the freeways, state highways, bridges and ferries.
Q: Does the gas tax go for the Seattle Monorail, light rail or buses?
A: No. The state Constitution says the gas tax can only be used for roads or ferries, which are considered part of the highway system.
Q: What's in the new 16-year transportation package?
A: Including both the scheduled gas tax increases and other fees, the state is counting on getting $8.5 billion in new revenue. The bulk of that, over $7 billion, is earmarked for 274 projects. This includes $3 million for 30 "at-risk structures," including Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct. More than 100 other safety-related projects would get $279 million. Congestion-relief projects would get $3 billion. Freight mobility projects would get $542 million and environmental projects $108 million. Amtrak rail service and other "multimodal" projects get $95 million.
Q: What is "Plan B" if voters reject the tax?
A: Lawmakers and the governor already are studying some of the options, including a smaller package, but most leaders say the 2006 Legislature probably wouldn't pass a new tax plan in an election year.
Q: Are all of the 2005 transportation taxes targeted by I-912?
A: No. Sponsors attacked the gas-tax portion, which accounts for about 80 percent of the total revenue. The main tax that stays regardless of I-912 is a vehicle weight fee on cars and light trucks -- $10 a year for most sedans and up to $30 for heavier vehicles. Motor home owners will pay $75 and various licensing fees will rise.
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