03:24 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Associated Press

OLYMPIA, Wash. - State House Republicans are proposing a three-month repeal of Washington's 31-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax.

As pump prices hit the $3-mark in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Democratic Governor Gregoire isn't immediately dismissing the idea. Aides say she is quietly discussing with lawmakers whether the tax should be lowered in some fashion until prices stabilize this fall.

The governor's office says no decision has been made about calling a special legislative session or suspending the tax by emergency executive order, and no tax-cut level has been agreed to.

House GOP Leader Richard DeBolt of Chehalis says his caucus is squarely behind the plan to completely erase the tax for three months. The loss to the highway budget would be about $270 Million and would be covered by dipping into the state's reserves.

Democratic lawmakers had no immediate reaction to the proposal.