The state of Washington stands to lose $5.5 billion for road and bridgework if voters approve a Nov. 8 statewide initiative to wipe out a gas tax increase.

Initiative 912 would throw out a 9.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase that is to be phased in over four years, that the Washington Legislature approved this spring. Unaffected by the ballot issue would be a diesel tax increase for the same amount.

Also unaffected by the rollback initiative would be 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.

Opponents of the initiative say the gas tax is essential to prevent worsening of freight travel times in the state.

“It’s just so damned important for the economic trajectory of the region,” Bart Phillips, president of the Columbia River Economic Development Council, told The Oregonian.

Supporters are telling voters to ignore what they call scare tactics. They say state officials can set priorities to assure needed work gets done.

The first 3-cent increase of the fuel tax took effect July 1, bringing the state’s tax to 31 cents per gallon. Another 3-cent bump is scheduled for next July, two more pennies a year later and a final 1.5-cent boost is scheduled for 2008.

The Legislature raised the state’s fuel tax from 23 cents to 28 cents a year ago.

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, said the rollback initiative badly misses the mark.

“Trucking interests in the state of Washington clearly ought to be opposing this measure,” Spencer said. “It is hypocritical that interests within Washington are looking to exempt themselves and place a higher burden on commercial vehicles that provide needed transportation for the state. That’s absolutely poor public policy.”

Spencer encourages professional truck drivers based in Washington to make sure they cast a ballot on or before Nov. 8.

Truckers and others unable to visit a polling place on Election Day can cast their ballot by absentee. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is Monday, Nov. 7. Contact your local election department for more information. For a list of election departments in the state, visit: secstate.wa.gov/elections/auditors.aspx.

Ballots must be signed and postmarked or delivered to the county election officer by Election Day.

The deadline to register to vote has passed.

By Keith Goble, state legislative editor
keith_goble@landlinemag.com