Not So Fast, Gas Tax

The gas tax bobbed and weaved its way through our state legislature and was signed by Governor Gregoire last week to the great cheer of many, despite our current gas prices. Others aren't so sure a 33% tax increase on gasoline is such a good idea. The Viaduct needs money badly, as does 405 and 520. Our transportation infrastructure is crumbling around us, but certainly drivers shouldn't have to contribute to maintaining the roads and bridges they use every day. We can get the money from somewhere else (public education, for example), because obviously if there's not enough money in a budget to keep viaducts from dropping onto our heads we must be wasting it all on some commie program or other.

Don't think that your neighborhood initiative pros have been twiddling their thumbs since the budget including the gas tax was passed. Eyeman might have dropped the ball on this one, or chosen to take on a less public role, so John Carlson of KVI Radio in Seattle is taking up the torch.

From the Post Intelligencer:

The project list was bloated and unwise, and legislators should have made better use of the existing billions in gas tax revenue, Carlson said.

He conceded that it remains a tall order to get the measure on the ballot, but said highly motivated volunteers could make it happen.

"A week ago, I would have said it was setting the stage for the '06 ballot, but now I think we have a 50-50 chance of making the '05 ballot. I think it wins by 25 points."