Locke, Supporters Fight ‘No’ On Gas Tax Hike Hope Gop Leaders Will Change Minds For Infrastructure’s Sake

Washington’s Legislature doesn’t convene until Monday, but Republican leaders dealt Democratic Gov. Gary Locke his first setback Tuesday, burying his plan for a gas tax increase.

But the governor, legislative Democrats and even some GOP legislators refused to take “no” for an answer. They said they’ll continue to press for a change of heart, feeling that a gas tax increase is a necessary evil for a state facing a congested, crumbling highway system that needs at least $20 billion worth of work.

The opinions, foretelling one of the main conflicts of the upcoming 60-day session, were served up at a pre-legislative forum sponsored by The Associated Press.

Leaders from both parties and the governor agreed on a broad array of issues.

They predicted approval of:

Tax relief. Lawmakers and Locke haven’t agreed on a package - indeed, the Republicans haven’t even released their proposals - but all sides agree there will be a sizable package of tax cuts. The plan mentioned most frequently: a big cut in the tax paid on car license tabs.

A large reserve fund. The state has a projected surplus of $862 million, and all sides have agreed to put a big chunk into savings.

Drunken-driving legislation. House Speaker Clyde Ballard, R-East Wenatchee, said a package of bills will begin moving early in the session. He said lawmakers want to be as aggressive as possible, lowering the legal blood alcohol level, allowing only one deferred prosecution in a lifetime and confiscating and even selling the vehicles of convicted offenders.

Education legislation. There is no consensus on specific legislation, but Locke and legislative leaders said they want to make schools more accountable and to dramatically improve reading skills.

Resource bills. Legislators and the governor mentioned salmon restoration and water legislation as major priorities. They said they support legislation to protect Washington electric ratepayers from possible effects of federal deregulation but said they can’t predict whether it’s possible to write such a complicated bill in a short session.

There was a modest dispute over how large the supplemental state budget should be. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Jim West, R-Spokane, and House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Huff, R-Gig Harbor, said they aren’t willing to raise spending beyond the current $19.1 billion. About $100 million is available for new spending due to savings already identified, Huff said.

Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Sid Snyder of Long Beach and House Minority Leader Marlin Appelwick of Seattle, said Republicans should be more willing to “invest” in education, health care, aid to distressed counties and other programs.

Appelwick suggested state funding for full-day kindergarten. Most areas offer only half-day programs.

But the biggest clash came over transportation. Republican leaders slammed the door on any plan that includes a gas tax hike. Democrats said the GOP is shirking its duty to curry favor with taxpayers.

“No gas tax,” Ballard said.

“A gas tax is not going to come up,” said Senate Majority Leader Dan McDonald, R-Bellevue. “It will not be brought up for a vote in the House or Senate.”

Both said that Republicans acknowledge a need to produce a transportation package this winter.

They didn’t sketch in a full package but indicated they’ll rely on greater transportation use of the car tab tax. Roughly a quarter of the $1.6 billion collected from this tax currently goes to the general treasury for schools, prisons and other general purposes. That’s the part they would divert.

Appelwick said he fears Republicans will produce only enough transportation funding to “defuse the criticism” and not really solve the problem.

Despite comments from their leaders, Sen. Jim Horn, R-Mercer Island, and Rep. Renee Radcliff, R-Mukilteo, told the forum that a number of Republicans, including themselves, remain willing to consider a gas tax increase.

“Sometimes it does take guts to govern,” Radcliff said.

Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison, who said the state’s ability to grow and prosper depends on making a huge investment in the transportation system, said he’s convinced Republicans are vastly overstating the political risk of taking a tax vote.

People back home want the problem solved and wouldn’t even notice the modest increase at the pump, said Morrison, himself a former Republican legislator and congressman from the Yakima Valley. He and Rep. Ruth Fisher, D-Tacoma, said a gas tax vote probably never has cost a legislator re-election.

Locke, urged newspapers, business and community leaders and ordinary motorists to let lawmakers know that they want a meaningful transportation package this session. He has suggested a $2.4 billion, five-year program that includes a 5-cent increase in the 23-cent state tax.