Washington’s Gas Tax Just Went Up, Here’s What Changed

Earlier this month, Washington state’s gas tax went up another 2%. What’s most disturbing about this latest gas tax increase in Washington is that there’s another 2% increase already scheduled for next year at this time, and for every year thereafter. 

According to axios.com,
‘Washington lawmakers passed a transportation package last year raising the state’s gas tax by 6 cents per gallon. The plan included a new inflationary adjustment that automatically increases the tax by 2% a year.
The automatic increase took effect for the first time July 1, raising the tax from 55.4 cents to 56.5 cents per gallon.’ 

I know it feels like it, but the Washington State gas tax is not the highest gas tax in the United States. Washington only rates #3, the second highest gas tax in the United States is in Illinois at 66.4 cents a gallon, and you guessed it, the most expensive gas tax in the United States Is in California, a whopping 70.9 cents per gallon. 

To my way of thinking, the most ridiculous reason for why Washington’s legislature decided to make a 2% increase per year automatic was basically that they just didn’t want to have to deal with it every year. Washington Democrats in the Legislature were getting tired of having to debate a gas tax increase every year, so they avoided it by just making it automatic. 

Right now, Washington State’s gas tax is at 56.5 cents per gallon.  

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I believe that a gas tax is outmoded and needs to be gotten rid of. I feel the best way to raise money to build and maintain roads in Washington state Is to place a tax on miles driven, not on the amount of gas you use. This way it doesn’t matter what kind of vehicle you drive or how energy efficient it might be. You pay for how much you use the road system. 

The big question about that proposal is how you keep track of that mileage on a car per year and accurately report it to the state.  

Some people would say that’s an invasion of privacy.  

I would reply if you’re concerned about the invasion of privacy, you better stop using your smart phone, your computer, put the laptop away, and get rid of that new smart TV.