What’s happening: Washington state Senate lawmakers Feb. 15 voted 29-20 to advance a $16 billion transportation funding bill to the House.
Why it matters: The bill contains several revenue sources, including a new 6-cent-per-gallon tax on fuel exported to states with lower gas taxes. Leaders in Alaska and neighboring Oregon and Idaho oppose the measure. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) told Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) directly. Idaho’s House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the tax, and Alaska lawmakers introduced retaliatory taxes on fish and oil.
What’s next: A corresponding spending bill still needs to pass the Senate, and the House has yet to consider the package. If approved the export tax would generate $2 billion over 16 years, but could be challenged in court by the affected states.
More information:
ARTBA-TIACs state legislative dashboard to monitor ongoing developments.
Original blog on the Washington state funding package, detailing other revenue sources.