The Slimming Pool Weight Loss Blog: Hey, I was Eating That!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Stop the Increase in Gas Tax for Washington State
Okay, this has nothing to do with weight loss, unless you consider the weight of your hard earned money, but here's the deal:
In Washington State we already have one of the highest gas tax rates in the country. Now, with no real announcement or warning, our legislature is quieting introducing a proposed nearly 10 cent per gallon tax to take effect very soon! The only way to stop this new tax is to get the word out and have all registered voters who'd rather not be skinned alive at the gas pump sign the petition to Stop the Gas Tax!
History of Gas Taxes in Washington State:
From an article at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Bader said, "The voters rejected a 9-cent-a-gallon gas tax in 2002, and since that time the Legislature has raised the gas tax by 14.5 cents a gallon. Olympia simply isn't listening."
Timing is simply wrong for this, especially since the residents of Washington State are already paying 28 cents a gallon in taxes! No wonder our gas prices are so high! It's not the hapless gas station owners who are robbing us blind, but our very own legislature.
Money is needed, yes, but this is the wrong time to add further to the burden of the citizens in this most basic of needs. The price of gas will likely rise, and meanwhile our gas tax sits right on top, ensuring we'll always be paying far more than everyone else. The trickle-down effect has already started, where business owners must rise prices to help offset the higher costs of fuel, and it hits the worker hardest since employers aren't likely to increase wages to offset our higher costs of living.
As passed, the gas tax increase will be phased in over four years, beginning with a 3-cent boost in July, 2005.
The tax package also includes new tolls, local taxes and weight fees on cars, light trucks and SUVs. The full gas tax increase and weight fee will cost motorists $67 to $172 a year, depending on vehicle size. So, if you'd like to spend more each and every year to licence your vehicle (this only a couple years after we finally got equitable licensing fees in Washington State), then sign this petiton now!
I am coordinating the efforts for Clark County, but no matter where you live in Washington State you can get a petition, just go to NoNewGasTax.com and request one. If you are anywhere in Clark County, send me your request and I'll get one out to you. There are also pickup locations at a few places.
Thanks, and now, back to our regularly scheduled programming ...
If anyone in Clark County (or any county) would like to help me in getting signatures
