Gregoire to propose major transportation package
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - Gov. Chris Gregoire said Tuesday she is preparing a new transportation package that would rival the multi-billion-dollar deal she helped approve in 2005.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Gregoire said that she will detail her plan during a budget proposal next week. The 2005 package included a 9.5-cent gas tax increase and other revenues that were slated to total $7 billion over the span of 16 years.
Gregoire says there are great needs to fund basic maintenance of the Washington's transportation infrastructure. The state is also looking to pay for major projects such as the Columbia River Crossing in Vancouver, the 520 bridge in Seattle and the North Spokane Corridor.
The Democrat hadn't settled on how the projects will be funded. Gregoire said she'd be having a meeting on Wednesday to discuss possible funding options for a transportation package, and she said a gas tax is in the mix.
"You can't take that off the table," she said, noting that there a limited number of places you can look for transportation money. "The only things that give you a decent amount of money are things like the gas tax."
A spokesman for Gov.-elect Jay Inslee wouldn't say he supports Gregoire's proposal.
"We are working on a number of things, including a legislative agenda," said spokesman Sterling Clifford. Inslee said during the campaign that he would veto tax increases but indicated that he would support asking voters to approve a transportation package with revenues.
Gregoire said that her conversations with Inslee have included discussions about the state's transportation needs.
"A lot of people want a transportation package," she said. "I've really focused on that in my conversations with him."
Gregoire said that she would have a proposed transportation budget to release alongside her general budget next Tuesday. She said that while all of the road projects are important, she stressed that any transportation package is "going to have to be dominated by maintenance and operation."
The 2005 gas tax package that Gregoire helped usher into law helped provide funding for more than 200 projects around the state, including cash for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, money to replace bridges and projects targeted at fixing congestion.
In an interview with The Associated Press on Tuesday, Gregoire said that she will detail her plan during a budget proposal next week. The 2005 package included a 9.5-cent gas tax increase and other revenues that were slated to total $7 billion over the span of 16 years.
Gregoire says there are great needs to fund basic maintenance of the Washington's transportation infrastructure. The state is also looking to pay for major projects such as the Columbia River Crossing in Vancouver, the 520 bridge in Seattle and the North Spokane Corridor.
The Democrat hadn't settled on how the projects will be funded. Gregoire said she'd be having a meeting on Wednesday to discuss possible funding options for a transportation package, and she said a gas tax is in the mix.
"You can't take that off the table," she said, noting that there a limited number of places you can look for transportation money. "The only things that give you a decent amount of money are things like the gas tax."
A spokesman for Gov.-elect Jay Inslee wouldn't say he supports Gregoire's proposal.
"We are working on a number of things, including a legislative agenda," said spokesman Sterling Clifford. Inslee said during the campaign that he would veto tax increases but indicated that he would support asking voters to approve a transportation package with revenues.
Gregoire said that her conversations with Inslee have included discussions about the state's transportation needs.
"A lot of people want a transportation package," she said. "I've really focused on that in my conversations with him."
Gregoire said that she would have a proposed transportation budget to release alongside her general budget next Tuesday. She said that while all of the road projects are important, she stressed that any transportation package is "going to have to be dominated by maintenance and operation."
The 2005 gas tax package that Gregoire helped usher into law helped provide funding for more than 200 projects around the state, including cash for the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, money to replace bridges and projects targeted at fixing congestion.
Please, just go away quietly.You have spent enough and done enough damage to leave a legacy like so many others in Politics, over spending other peoples money, and obligating their children and grandchildren to a tax burden before they are born. What a gal.Â
Tax, spend and bail. Â In a word "IDIOT"Â
I think 'raising taxes' are the only 2 words the democraps know.
Who cares about Washington? They have their own media outlets! We have enough problems here in Oregon to report on!
Hey monkey woman. Can't you just go away quietly?
"The Democrat hadn't settled on how the projects will be funded. Gregoire said she'd be having a meeting on Wednesday to discuss possible funding options for a transportation package, and she said a gas tax is in the mix."
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The word "Democrat" and "gas tax is in the mix" in the same paragraph. No surprise there.
 @RalphCramden How often are gas taxes raised? I know that the 18.4 cents per gallon federally hasn't been adjusted since I was working at a gas station in college at least 12 years ago. Double checking that, it was 1993. Gas was how much in 1993? Wasn't that about a 20% tax at the time?
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We might need to up the gas tax once or twice every decade to keep up with the cost of labor increases that are required if we want to stay a first world country.
 @knottrielÂ
I also forgot to mention that Washington is tied for the highest gas taxes in the nation. If they raise the taxes again then they will have the highest rates.
 @knottrielÂ
The tax on gasoline in Washington is almost $0.38 per gallon. It was $0.28 per gallon in 2005.
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That is a 35% increase which exceeds COLA's and compares to a decrease in home values of 50%, a decline in household income of 4% while persons living in the household have increased 4%, an increase of those living in poverty has increased 4% in the last 2 years and the number of homeless has risen significantly.
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You would make a good queen.
Â
Brighton: It pains me to say this but you're broke my Queen.
The Queen: Then go collet more taxes.
Brighton: Ha ha. Ah your majesty, I don't know the last time you were in the town but the people are starving.
The Queen: The people have no imagination. Go tell the villagers that bread is meat, less is more, blah blah blah, commoners love a good metaphor. Just go sell it.
"Mirror, Mirror"