5/11/05-Gov. Christine Gregoire signed a bill into law May 9 that will force drivers to pay a lot more fuel taxes at the pump to help pay for roads and bridges.
The revenue generated will pay for $8.5 billion in the next 16 years with the aid of a 9.5 cent-per-gallon fuel tax boost in the next four years. Drivers will start paying an extra 3 cents a gallon July 1.
The transportation package and accompanying fuel tax hike passed after an 11th-hour turnaround in the recently wrapped up legislative session. The package failed in the House the day before the session ended, but after intense lobbying by the governor and others, it passed on the Legislature’s final day.
The plan bumps the state’s 28-cents-per-gallon fuel tax by 3 cents a gallon in July for each of the next two years, 2 cents in July 2007 and a final 1.5-cent boost a year later. The Legislature raised it from 23 cents a year ago.
It also includes a new vehicle weight fee that adds between $5 and $25 to annual licensing fees, as well as tolls and local-option tax increases for cities and counties.

4/25/05-State lawmakers have approved a transportation package that calls for raising $8.5 billion in the next 16 years with the aid of a 9.5 cent-per-gallon fuel tax boost in the next four years.
The House signed off on the package Saturday, April 23, on a 54-43 vote. Senators cleared the plan earlier in the week on a vote of 26-22. It now moves to Gov. Christine Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.
The plan bumps the state’s 28-cents-per-gallon fuel tax by 3 cents a gallon in July for each of the next two years, 2 cents in July 2007 and a final 1.5-cent boost a year later. A year ago, the Legislature raised it from 23 cents per gallon.
SB6103 also includes a new vehicle weight fee that would add between $10 and $30 to the annual licensing fee, as well as tolls and local-option tax increases for cities and counties.
For bill status, call (360) 786-7573. In Washington, call 1-800-562-6000.

4/21/05-The Senate has approved an effort that would force drivers to pay a lot more fuel taxes at the pump to help pay for roads and bridges.
The road-building plan would raise $8 billion in the next 16 years with the aid of a 9.5 cent-per-gallon fuel tax boost in the next four years.
Senators voted 26-22 Wednesday, April 20, to send the bill – SB6103 – to the House for further consideration. If approved there, it would go before Gov. Christine Gregoire, who is expected to sign it.
A vote is scheduled before the Sunday, April 24, adjournment deadline.
The plan would bump the state’s 28-cents-per-gallon fuel tax by 3 cents a gallon in July for each of the next two years, 2 cents in July 2007 and a final 1.5-cent boost a year later. The Legislature raised it from 23 cents a year ago.
It also includes a new vehicle weight fee that would add between $5 and $25 to annual licensing fees, as well as tolls and local-option tax increases for cities and counties.
Lawmakers knocked nearly 6 cents off the fuel tax provision and agreed to an independent performance audit provision for transportation projects.
For bill status, call (360) 786-7573. In Washington, call 1-800-562-6000.

4/11/05-Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, and ranking Republican Dan Swecker of Rochester have formed a bipartisan plan to have drivers in the state pay as much as 15 cents more per gallon for fuel to help pay for roads and bridges.
SB6103 would raise $9.1 billion over the next 16 years with the aid of the fuel tax boost over the next 12 years.
The road-building plan would bump the state’s 28-cents-per-gallon fuel tax by 3 cents a gallon this summer, 2 cents next year and a penny a year after that for the next 10 years. The Legislature raised it from 23 cents a year ago.
It also includes a new vehicle weight fee that would add between $5 and $25 to the annual licensing fee, as well as tolls and local-option tax increases for cities and counties.
Floor votes on the initiative were delayed last week as Swecker and Haugen reportedly hustled for enough votes to get it through the Senate. If approved, it would move to the House.
For bill status, call (360) 786-7573. In Washington, call 1-800-562-6000.