Senator said measure may aid district's road improvement projects

OLYMPIA — State Sen. Joyce Mulliken has announced she is "prepared to vote" in favor of the gas tax increase proposed by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Mulliken, R-Ephrata, said that she has never knowingly voted for a tax hike in 11 years as a legislator.

This tax increase includes a three-cent increase the first year, a two-cent increase the second year and a possible one-cent increase for each of the following 10 years, plus new vehicle weight fees of $5, $15 or $25, depending on the weight of the vehicle, a release from Mulliken's office stated.

The gas tax hike is still being looked at in both houses. If adopted, one-half of one cent of the increase will be shared equally between counties and cities for local road and street improvements. This is expected to bring about $32 million for these improvements.

"I am very excited about this provision," Mulliken said in the statement. "We will see our gas tax dollars working in our own communities."

Mulliken added that it is very likely some form of a gas tax increase will pass this year, given that the Democratic party has gathered enough votes. Mulliken, who voted against a gas tax hike in 2003 which had bipartisan support, said the decision to vote for the tax increase is difficult but it comes down to whether it will benefit the district.

The gas tax increase is the focus of a number of bills. Bill 6091 has a list of projects to which the revenues would go. Bill 6103, which carries the tax increase, will determine how to pay for them.

Among the projects the tax revenues might target through the various bills are the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle, the widening of Highway 17 to four lanes from Ephrata to I-395 and funding for the Potato Hill Bridge bicycle and pedestrian paths in Moses Lake.

"These projects provide a total revenue impact for our district of more than $18 million in Grant County alone," Mulliken said. "During construction, local businesses and workers will have a direct benefit."

Lastly, she added that upon completion, the projects will provide quicker and and safer transport of the area's agriculture products to market destinations and increase the traffic flow and protection for eastern Washington travelers and residents.