04/28/2003

By MEEGHAN BLACK / KING 5 News

SEATTLE - The anti-tax man is at it again, out to help overturn a new tax. Tim Eyman's complaint is not about whether we need road improvements, or even the tax itself. He feels voters have the right to vote on any new taxes.

If signed by the governor the 5 cent gas tax would take effect July 1. Eyman charges since that's before a referendum challenging the gas tax could ever be validated, the legislature is purposefully sabotaging voters’ rights to question it.

KING Tim Eyman

Gov. Gary Locke understands voters turned down a much larger transportation package just last November, but he says this one's an improvement. It's smaller, more accountable and will boost the economy by creating jobs.

“It’s up to the voters to decide what they might want to do and there's nothing in here that prevents people from using the initiative process of they so choose,” said Locke.

This new gas tax, although a bitter pill to swallow, seems to have the support of many commuters.

“I think it's important for the tax to happen and I think it will be important for the legislature to follow through and get the roads fixed and built,” said commuter David Steeb.

“I think it's a responsible way to pay for the transportation needs. It's a use tax and so it charges the people who are using the roads most,” said commuter Robert Thoms.

The transportation package received bipartisan support in both the house and senate. In fact, one Republican senator calls this tax hike the “ultimate in accountability,” something he's never seen before.

Regardless, most expect this issue to end up in the courts.