With members of a ready-made opposition campaign present, anti-tax activist Tim Eyman, along with Spokane City Councilman Mike Fagan and his father, Jack Fagan, presented the final boxes of signatures for Initiative 976 to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office last week.
The initiative would prevent local governments from adding on to the state $30 vehicle tab fee. Currently, local governments can create Transportation Benefit Districts, which are allowed to impose tab fees.
Supporters of I-976 turned in more than 352,000 signatures, which should be enough to send the proposal to the Legislature, where it could become law or be sent to the November ballot.
Under I-976, license tabs for cars and trucks weighing less than 10,000 pounds would be limited to $30, compared to current fees that range from $53 to $93. It also would reduce the motor vehicle excise tax, including for Sound Transit, which serves the Puget Sound region. Those excise taxes would have to be based on Kelley Blue Book values, which are generally lower than the system Sound Transit uses.
Opponents argue the initiative, if passed, will hurt transit systems like Sound Transit, as well as projects to repave streets.
Approval would also reduces the fee on electric vehicles from $100 to $30. (Spokesman Review)
