Seattle mayor, King Co. council exec seek 8-cent gas tax hike
SEATTLE - Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and King County Executive Dow Constantine are asking the state for an 8-cent gas tax increase and authority to hike the local motor vehicle excise tax by 1.5 percent.
In a letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire, McGinn and Constantine said the tax hikes are needed to "solve our statewide transportation crisis" and also provide money for local street maintenance and transit systems.
The letter was also signed by Denis Law, mayor of Renton and board president of the Sound Cities Association.
"We are writing today to encourage you and the Legislature to take action to help us all begin to solve our statewide transportation crisis by providing local funding options in the coming legislative session," the letter states.
"It is our firm belief that addressing local transportation needs is of critical importance to the economic health and long-term viability of the state’s economy. Local jurisdictions play a pivotal role in our state’s transportation portfolio."
Under the proposal outlined in the letter, 65 percent of the gas tax increase would go to the state.
In addition, King County needs a 1.5 percent hike in the motor vehicle excise tax to "sustain transit service and help address the funding gap for roads and other local transportation needs," the letter states.
The letter seeks authority to boost the tax by that amount through action of the county council or a vote of the people. Although King County needs a 1.5 percent increase, other counties may need a lesser amount closer to 1 percent, the letter states.
The text of the letter follows:
Dear Governor Gregoire:
Seattle, King County, and the Sound Cities Association have worked together to develop a solution to our shared transportation problems. We are writing today to encourage you and the Legislature to take action to help us all begin to solve our statewide transportation crisis by providing local funding options in the coming legislative session in order to preserve and maintain our portion of the State’s transportation system and address the growing demand for transit services.
King County and its cities have reached consensus on a set of tools that will allow us to address transportation needs at the local level. We are engaging leaders from around the state who support a combination of local funding options in a dialogue about the attached proposal.
The proposal includes an eight cent gas tax increase, 65% of which would go to the state, an increase to $40 of the councilmanic TBD authority, and a 1.5% local Motor Vehicle Excise Tax to be passed councilmanically or by a vote of the people. While King County’s needs are great enough that we seek a 1.5% MVET to sustain transit service and help address the funding gap for roads and other local transportation needs, we anticipate that other counties may prefer for themselves something closer to 1%.
It is our firm belief that addressing local transportation needs is of critical importance to the economic health and long-term viability of the state’s economy. Local jurisdictions play a pivotal role in our state’s transportation portfolio. More than half of all trips in our state are less than three miles long and take place on city and county roads, buses, sidewalks, and trails. We strive daily to maintain aging streets, bridges and drainage systems, under tightly constrained budgets. At the same time, residents are asking us to improve transit services, safety, mobility, and choices within our transportation system while diminishing the adverse impacts of the system on our environment and human health.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you toward the goals that we all share.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Denis Law
Sound Cities Association, Board President (formerly Suburban Cities Association)
Mayor, City of Renton
Mike McGinn
Mayor, City of Seattle
In a letter to Gov. Chris Gregoire, McGinn and Constantine said the tax hikes are needed to "solve our statewide transportation crisis" and also provide money for local street maintenance and transit systems.
The letter was also signed by Denis Law, mayor of Renton and board president of the Sound Cities Association.
"We are writing today to encourage you and the Legislature to take action to help us all begin to solve our statewide transportation crisis by providing local funding options in the coming legislative session," the letter states.
"It is our firm belief that addressing local transportation needs is of critical importance to the economic health and long-term viability of the state’s economy. Local jurisdictions play a pivotal role in our state’s transportation portfolio."
Under the proposal outlined in the letter, 65 percent of the gas tax increase would go to the state.
In addition, King County needs a 1.5 percent hike in the motor vehicle excise tax to "sustain transit service and help address the funding gap for roads and other local transportation needs," the letter states.
The letter seeks authority to boost the tax by that amount through action of the county council or a vote of the people. Although King County needs a 1.5 percent increase, other counties may need a lesser amount closer to 1 percent, the letter states.
The text of the letter follows:
Dear Governor Gregoire:
Seattle, King County, and the Sound Cities Association have worked together to develop a solution to our shared transportation problems. We are writing today to encourage you and the Legislature to take action to help us all begin to solve our statewide transportation crisis by providing local funding options in the coming legislative session in order to preserve and maintain our portion of the State’s transportation system and address the growing demand for transit services.
King County and its cities have reached consensus on a set of tools that will allow us to address transportation needs at the local level. We are engaging leaders from around the state who support a combination of local funding options in a dialogue about the attached proposal.
The proposal includes an eight cent gas tax increase, 65% of which would go to the state, an increase to $40 of the councilmanic TBD authority, and a 1.5% local Motor Vehicle Excise Tax to be passed councilmanically or by a vote of the people. While King County’s needs are great enough that we seek a 1.5% MVET to sustain transit service and help address the funding gap for roads and other local transportation needs, we anticipate that other counties may prefer for themselves something closer to 1%.
It is our firm belief that addressing local transportation needs is of critical importance to the economic health and long-term viability of the state’s economy. Local jurisdictions play a pivotal role in our state’s transportation portfolio. More than half of all trips in our state are less than three miles long and take place on city and county roads, buses, sidewalks, and trails. We strive daily to maintain aging streets, bridges and drainage systems, under tightly constrained budgets. At the same time, residents are asking us to improve transit services, safety, mobility, and choices within our transportation system while diminishing the adverse impacts of the system on our environment and human health.
Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to working with you toward the goals that we all share.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Denis Law
Sound Cities Association, Board President (formerly Suburban Cities Association)
Mayor, City of Renton
Mike McGinn
Mayor, City of Seattle
Just glad I don't live in King County.
Tax and spend Liberal to the rescue.Â
since you don't need that 65% how about reduce the taxes you are asking for by 65% and let the state get her own money instead of using that as suckup power to get your wish?
in reading a lot of these posts I see the same line we always take...democrat or republican...should it really make any difference?...the bottom line is that the elected officials ARE NOT fixing the problems...they just want to keep throwing money at them...this has been going on for years...no matter which party is in control....get your head out of the sand and start recalling and impeaching them....the people after them will pay attention....we can't get together on anything anymore except sitting around b*tching about everything....and I am just as guilty as the rest of you
Yeah, what we need is more taxes.  I heard a few weeks ago they were going to add more taxes to fuel charges because they are losing money to hybrid and electric cars-needing to compensate for the loss there. Seriously, we need to shrink the size of the local gov't...its too bloated. And why do people keep voting these a**hats in? Oh I forget...Elitist, smug liberals and progressives know whats best for everyone.
And don't get me started about Republicans as well.
Dow, Denis, Mike and Christine, how can I put this so that you'll understand? STFU! Bite me!
 @SgtPepperSpray Priceless:)
The problem with these morons as that they will get their increased taxes and nothing will change and they'll be looking for more increases a few years from now. They refuse to deal with the real issue of waste and inefficiency that plague every facet of the state and city governments. The highways and roads in King Co are a joke and an embarrassment.
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Why do you folks in Seattle & King County keep re-electing these socialist money-gougers? TAX, TAX, TAX!!!! George Harrison must have seen these losers in a "future" vision when he wrote the song "Taxman".
how bout a tax on those selfish single occupancy drivers I see when I'm on the bus, whizzing past those geniuses in grid lock.
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I'm ok with the gas tax increase, I hope the money is used to further enhance public transportation.
 @calapete Selfish am I? I live 1 block from a transit center and can't take public transportation (which would be subsidized by my work) because it doesn't serve the office complex I work in at the times I need. I also spend an hour less each way taking my own vehicle (looking at average times) so even if I could use it, I don't really need to add to my 10hr days.
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Glad you work a standard schedule, some folks don't and therefore aren't served with your glorious transportation system.
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I think the gas tax should be much higher, with the caveat that tolls are illegal, non-fuel burning vehicles are use-taxed in a different manner, and road funds are strictly used ONLY for infrastructure and not part of the general fund. Dedicated funds might make budget planning more difficult in Olympia, but it is more effective in preventing runaway spending.
 @calapete Yeah, Your ok because it pays for your ride.  I am a single occupancy driver that has to commute for work.  Why should I have to pay for everyone else?  The busses and light rail does not work for everyone.  It would if everyone worked in the city and worked in an office building.
I'll pay more taxes if people who don't pay taxes don't get to vote! No welfare bums no ebt voters, that would eliminate the morons who don't know what gdp is or defecit spending is from voting. Abolish the federal income tax too... www.fairtax.org is the only solution to the federal debt. State debt is another story thanks to the fraud liar gregorie, good riddance cheating whore.
Trade you both your stupid Social Justice Agenda (don't believe me, go to the city and county websites) for a tax hike.
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No.. wait... if you didn't waste that money on your Pugetopia Dream, we'd HAVE the money.
Homeless panhandlers have more dignity when they beg for money. The Mike & Dow show looking for spare change, again.
I guess I was sleeping, When I woke up there were bike lanes every where, including where I used to park my car .Who allowed this to happen? Who payed for this? Riding a bike to save money, to help the environment, to shrink our carbon foot print, to get much needed exercise, when I was growing up(as a youth in the late sixties and early seventies we rode our bikes mainly on the side walk. I remember I rode my bike out on to the road to by pass a lady with her baby in a stroller. Just then two Seattle policemen on motorcycles pulled up besides me and pointed at the sidewalk as if to say get your a$$ back up there. which I did, scared that they were going to some how tell my parents that I had been riding in the street. So my real question is why tax the gas that any one and every one that uses a car to get to work or the truck that delivers the food we eat, the many other things we have to travel to on a daily basis, for some of us to just survive or make ends meet. Its time the state and the city quit screwing around and take care of the basic survival needs of many. Which is those of us living paycheck to paycheck. We cant afford extras and we are the ones getting punished for the governments mistakes and lack of the ability to spend as if they were living pay check to paycheck.   Heh just print some more, it seems that's what their doing.
try this stop everything for illegals, raise transit fares, start audits on everyone on welfare, section 8 food stamps, ect,.and the list goes on an on
Does this new tax help pay off the bonds with interest on the 5 cent tax from a few years back ?
Gas price not high enough without valid reason already?
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Tax the cyclist, raise transit fee, and all city workers take a 20% pay cut.
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When are you people going to wake up? This state pisses away more money than you can imagine. Sound Transit is a perfect example. Millions of dollars down the drain for a few riders on those multi million dollar trains. Yes, they shoved that one down our throats. How about the millions that the DOT spent on the speed control signs over I-5 that nobody pays any attention to that they have on the autobaun. Well when your doing 150 mph or more you better pay attention. When it says 35, I wish I was going 20 instead of a crawl or 5 mph would be better. And your famous pot hole patrols. What a joke. Being in construction and yes I worked on the transit tunnel both through Beacon Hill and the 220 tunnel to Capital Hill, if you don't put down an asphalt tack before the hot mix it will not stay in place. Therefore in a few weeks of traffic the good ole pot hole will be back ready for our DOT to fix it again. Can anyone say JOB SECURITY????? Does anyone know of the speed cameras that are almost in place from Blain to Bellingham? They will take you picture just like a red light camera and mail you your ticket. It's just a start my friends. Be ready for tolls when you get off the toilet.
Speed cameras are actuallly a good system. They control traffic and let the cops do their real job of catching criminalls instead of just sitting on the side of the road eating donuts.
It comes down to the elected officials, who continue to fail at spending and money management. And their solution is to grab more taxes from us all so the recklessness can continue. Demand accountability from the political swill that has taken over this state.
Why doesn't Seattle and King County pay for their own transit . raise the entree fee,Cut back on low use routes. I do not live there,nor go there. .
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What a joke! Politicians creating taxes to pay for their elected offices!Â
 @GOCOUGS Do you really mean orifices ?Â
As much as we need infrastructure, this proposal makes me laugh at just thinking about if either of these guys is running for re-election, they are going to fall flat right on their butts
How dare these elected Democrats make us believe they care about the poor or middle class. What a SLAP in the face.
Tax his land, tax his bed, Tax the table at which heâs fed.
Tax his tractor, tax his mule, Teach him taxes are the rule.
Tax his cow, tax his goat, Tax his pants, tax his coat.
Tax his ties, tax his shirt, Tax his work, tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco, tax his drink. Tax him if he tries to think.
Tax his cigars, tax his beers, If he cries, then tax his tears.
Tax his car, tax his gas, Find other ways to tax his ass.
Tax all he has, then let him know That you wonât be done âtil he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers, Tax him some more.
Tax him âtill heâs good and sore.
Then tax his coffin, tax his grave. Tax the sod in which heâs laid.
Put these words upon his tomb, âTaxes drove me to my doom.â
When heâs gone, do not relax. Itâs time to apply the inheritance tax.
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Make it ten dollars. It doesnt matter the following year you'll want a dollar more. You Seattle voters are doing great.
People can complain all they want, but these very same people keep re-electing the politicians who keep bending us over. Thanks to King County's very far left voting community, the entire state will be held hostage to socialist ideals. You get what you vote for.
@What-the-Heck I couldn't agree with you more! I am so frustrated with the recent elections.
read my lips, noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!
Here is a novel idea, how about instead of raising taxes you spend responsibly. Seattle, and King County along with the State make horrible financial decisions.Â
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Not sure what the First Hill streetcar is supposed to accomplish.Â
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Time for McGinn to go. He has done nothing good for the city. Bring in a mayor that knows a thing or two about financial responsibility.
Folks we have voting cards for a reason. Take names.
Wait....I thought my $35.00....wait, sorry....$97.00 car tabs paid for road repair and such?
During this time of economic downtown, ordinary, everyday people have had to learn to live on less and be smart with money.  If we can do it, so can our elected officials.Â
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My business does retail based home improvement projects and such...our gas bill for our install vans and sales cars is over 2k a monthâ¦we use about 650 gallons of gas a month. Thatâs gas we buy at local (Renton) gas stations (locally owned 76 & Shell stations. We are based in Downtown Renton, but seeing as how Mayor Law seem to feel that itâs OK for our gas bills to be even higher, I think it might be time to move to a more business-friendly area such as Issaquah. Itâll be better for us in the long run.Â
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Sure you want to move forward on this, Mr. Elected Mayor Law?
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 @ALTemp When you move to Issaquah, there's a Costco gas there that will save you thousands over 76 and Shell.
Yea...I will give you 8 cents if you are gonna be goner Mayor !
Dow, Denis and Mike... Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest...
I hope all you people out there who vote for Dems wake up someday and realize what's happening. They will never have enough!!
Oh wait.. what happened to the "pay as you go" tax that they're considering for drivers?? You know, take away incentives to have a gas conserving car by making us pay PER mile, instead of per gallon??? Â Another brainy idea from them.Â
@DT It was a bad idea and I would imagine that it's dead in the water. But you can't deny that our roads are largely funded by gas taxes and we are going to have a big problem going forward as cars become more efficient and more electric and hybrids are sold.Â
 @lakeview  @DT hey lakeview - my understanding is this gas tax isn't for
roads - it's for schools! Â Go figure.
I don't live in Seattle proper, but what is it about seeing their Mayor's face that gives me such a negative reaction? He just seems to represent everything that is screwed up in the City. Â I'm a moderate liberal, and I think that he's screwed things up badly. Â The sales tax up here and the property taxes, are already high. Â Gas tax? Â Really? Â It's like he's living in this upper middle class bubble.. like the folks that decided people on the Peninsula can be paying $6.00 a trip to go over the Narrows Bridge. Â Do they have NO clue how many working class folks live in the Puget Sound area? Â
 @DT  " I'm a moderate liberal"
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I have read your posts. I would advise substituting "flaming" for "moderate."
 @DT No, they have absolutely NO IDEA of what the average person makes. McFuzzface is paid about $170,000 yearly and Constantine is about $180,000 a year. I made a bit over $22,000 last year.
It just doesn't matter how much money they collect, it will never be enough. Reading this reminds me of people who don't have a clue about spending and income. They seem to think the consumer is a bottomless ATM machine to go to everytime they need more money. My question would be, why when the economy was good were they not maintaining the roads...where did that money go to? Probably one of their pet projects. That tunnel was started without sufficient funds to finance it and now the bills are going to come due. These people are just relentless in their need to spend.
Washington is one of only 7 states without any personal income tax.
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Complain all you want though.
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You think 8 cents is bad? Go move to Utah and give the state 5% of your income, as is their flat rate. Don't like Utah? Colorado has a nice flat rate income tax of 4.6%.
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Or maybe you prefer a progressive state income tax. How about sunny California, where you might pay as high as 13% of your income to the state?Â
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Pretty sick of the constant whining about taxes. I bet most of you complaining don't even pay federal income tax.Â
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 @lakeview Of course you KNOW that the income tax would be IN ADDITION to all the taxes we already pay, don't you?
 @lakeview And you would be wrong about the federal income tax.
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It is one thing for a state to have a moderate tax on income and moderate taxes on most other things but a bit different if the state has high taxes on everything but income.
 @lakeviewÂ
In Calif there are sales taxes, real estate taxes, gas taxes and licensing fees on top of income tax. Â Does that sound good for WA?Â
 @Opus8no5  @lakeview We have all those taxes here.
 @lakeview California? Well, the income tax in lower than Oregon.  The sales tax is lower than Washington, the property taxes are lower than Washington. The higher education is a FRACTION of what it is here (and BETTER!!)  The utilities and their taxes are higher here, the food prices are astronomical.  The rentals are every bit as expensive as those other places, if not higher.  You get what you pay for, basically.  And it all evens out, unless you choose to live in some crap-hole state where you're lucky if you get paramedic services.  But Washington is the nickel and dime state.  I'm not a tax whiner, have never been.. BUT I do take issue with a place that seems to be so badly run aka Seattle. Or a State where you pay almost as much to go to a community college, as a great state college elsewhere.  Other than LWTC in Kirkland, I am so unimpressed with the community collegesand high schools here. NOT worth the money. Then you only have a few State colleges, which seem to be impossible to get into here. Not worth it.Â
@DT I agree that we are nickel and dime. I like it. You pay for what you use and it keeps us from having to have an income tax. We function on the razor's edge and it's fun to watch. Raising taxes is hard here. We have more things like sin taxes and usage fees. Don't like how expensive the state parks are? Don't go. But you can't avoid an income tax. As for schools, I can't really comment. I do know that Bellevue public schools consistently rate as some of the best in the nation. UW is one of the best universities in the nation, public or private.Â
 Do we need to fund education better? Maybe. How do you propose that we pay for that?Â
@lakeview  How about you write a check?
@lakeview You better be grateful we don't have a state income tax. Can you imagine with spending so out of control just how fast that would go up a few percent here and a few percent there? It would make all of the taxes we have now look like nothing. I do pay federal income tax and this isn't whining, this is about being taxed without any attention being paid to their out of control spending. None of them understand what a budget is about. It doesn't mean spend til you're broke and then force the tax payers to pick up your overspending.
@Jatok The budget process is such that you can't always accurately predict how much revenue is going to come in compared to spending. Washington state just made massive cuts to the tune of millions recently. Of course none of you will acknoledge that. There is a reason why so many people are moving here, and it's not because of our weather. Â
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@lakeview A lot of the cuts they made were because when times were good they just kept spending like there was no tomorrow. There was a lot of waste in our government because the different departments didn't want to loose their lucrative budget amounts so they made sure to use every last dime on something before their fiscal year ended. There is still a lot of waste in our government and so I don't put to much credence that they are cut to bare bone, nor that some of them ever will be. The money was there, it's the way they doled it out.