With another legislative session underway in Olympia, Washington lawmakers are poised to consider new transportation spending, traffic-enforcement measures, and car-tab fees.
Embattled anti-tax activist Tim Eyman collected enough signatures to qualify an initiative that would cap car-tab fees at $30 a year. Lawmakers must now either approve that measure, allow it to go to the ballot, or pass an alternative to appear alongside Eyman’s measure on the ballot.
Democrats, who control both chambers of the Legislature, generally oppose a $30 cap since it would gut transit funding. However, many of them have supported other efforts to change the valuation formula. For the last two sessions, legislators on both sides of the aisle have supported changing the formula but failed to pass a bill.
The state Office of Financial Management is now working on a fiscal note about the initiative, which may be done next week.
On other issues, lawmakers will debate significant transportation spending plans in Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed budget. To comply with a federal court order, Inslee seeks $205 million in additional funding over the next two years for the removal and repair of culverts to improve fish migration. Inslee also proposes spending about $119 million over the next two years for new hybrid ferries and converting diesel ferries to hybrids.
On other issues, Democratic lawmakers are sponsoring a bill to offer a sales-tax break for electric vehicles.
Republicans have introduced bills aimed at transit funding and governance, which may get hearings but are unlikely to pass given Democratic majorities.
The Washington Legislature may also consider bills regulating ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, including the background checks required for drivers. (Seattle Times)
