Washington State Tax Relief?
Not while Democrats are in control!
The Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe and Casey captured headlines last week, but the issue is not the one that people really are concerned about right now. The Washington Examiner reported only 5% of voters called abortion a top concern. “People are focused on inflation, gas, cost of living, public safety and the disintegration of America,” pollster Jim McLaughlin said. “You know you're struggling when 77% of Biden’s primary voters are looking for somebody else.”
Given the dire economic conditions and rising gasoline prices, the Washington State Senate Republican Caucus called for a special session to suspend the state gas tax. Not only did President Biden encourage governors to give a gas tax holiday, but there was also a $1.5 BILLION increase in Washington’s June Revenue Forecast! One billion, 500 million dollars? Doesn’t it seem like the state could afford to give the taxpayers a little relief at the pump?
Washington Policy Center’s Jason Mercier summed up the situation clearly: “State officials now have an additional $1.5 billion to finally prioritize tax relief to help Washingtonians mitigate some of the impacts of record inflation. Failing to do so will make it clear that taxpayers are merely viewed as an ATM for the politicians' spending agendas, rather than being deemed worthy by their public servants of keeping more of their own money to meet their needs in the face of rapidly rising prices.”
Unfortunately, it’s very unlikely that “King” Inslee will give Washingtonians any relief from taxation, inflation and bad policy decisions. “Governor Inslee has repeatedly made it clear that he believes his spending priorities exceed any need to provide tax relief to help families deal with the impact of record inflation”.
Senate Republican Leader John Braun points out “Anyone who reads SB 5897 can see it contains anti-profiteering safeguards to ensure pump prices are lowered, while preserving funding for state transportation investments. Also, the state gas tax is 49.4 cents per gallon, nearly triple the 18.4 cents of federal gas tax. Our idea, which could be quickly enacted in a one-day virtual special session, would save much more money for a longer period than the Biden idea.”
But wait, there’s more!
Unfortunately, even MORE taxes are on the way for Washingtonians, and not just at the pump.
The Center Square Washington reported that Washington state drivers will pay 400% more for license plates starting July 1. “In the midst of increasing fuel costs and rising inflation, Washington state drivers can soon expect to pay higher fees as part of the 16-year, nearly $17 billion “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package that passed the state legislature this year and was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee.”
Some fee increases are set to go into effect on July 1, including license plate fees and stolen vehicle check fees. On October 1, fees for enhanced licenses and identicards will also increase. Like gasoline and diesel taxes, these fees are regressive, which means that lower income earners will pay a higher percentage of their earnings for the privilege of driving a car and owning a vehicle.
Adding insult to injury, the new Low Carbon Fuel Standard will increase gasoline taxes even more starting in January 2023! Affordable Fuel Washington pointed out “Higher fuel costs mean increased costs to Washington businesses that manufacture and transport consumer products, which would be passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. This would make everything we buy more expensive. The consumers who ultimately get hurt the most are those that can least afford to pay more for the higher cost of goods and essential needs. The LCFS is a harmful, costly and regressive approach to carbon reduction policy.”
By implementing the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Inslee and state Democratic leaders are driving inflation even higher, rather than helping consumers.
Here’s the bottom line. The Progressive-Marxist rulers of Washington state are addicted to YOUR money and their favorite word is “more”. More and more of your money is being “redistributed” to their pet-projects. If you’re tired of being treated like an ATM by Democrats, find a way to get involved in politics this year.
Washington State Republicans are working hard to flip the legislature to Republican control. If you can help financially, you can send up to $2,000 to any or all Republican candidates who are attempting to flip seats in the House, including Tawsha Thompson, Karen Lesetmoe, Brian Pruiett, Susanna Kielman, Casey Jones, Ashlii Tagoai, Carmen Goers, Chad Magendanz, Mark Harmsworth, Ryne Rohla, Mark James and Gary Kemp.
You can find these and other great Republican candidates at the HROC Candidates Page. Or, you can send unlimited personal contributions to HROC.US. You can also send unlimited company dollars to The Reagan Fund.
If you’re unable to contribute financially, the Washington State Republican Party is looking for volunteers to phone bank for important campaigns. It’s less than three weeks before the ballots drop for the August primary. Now is the time to do your part to elect people who will give you tax relief in the future.
Nancy Churchill is a writer and activist in rural eastern Washington State, and the state committeewoman for the Ferry County Republican Party. She may be reached at DangerousRhetoric@pm.me. The opinions expressed in Dangerous Rhetoric are her own.