OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Senate voted on Saturday to pass a bill that would increase taxes on gas by six cents.
Senate Bill 5801 passed in a 31 to 18 vote and if signed into law, it would increase by two percent annually to account for inflation, according to a Senate bill report.
The bill would also increase fees for electric and hybrid vehicles, including a bump to registration renewal fees from $100 to $150.
The increase in costs is aimed to make up for a $1 billion budget shortfall, according to Washington Senate Democrats.
The bill was one of three passed on Saturday to address the state transportation budget.
“This is a year of budget challenges, but through a spirit of collaboration and compromise, we found a bipartisan solution to keep Washington moving ahead,” said Sen. Marko Liias (D-Edmonds).
Senate Bill 5801 faced some opposition from Senate Republicans.
“We’re putting gas taxes on automatic pilot and we’re putting the citizens of the state on mute,” Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) said. “Their taxes will keep going up and up, without representation, and the state will keep on taking and taking,” he said.
The Washington State House is also considering a bill to raise the gas tax by nine cents, which is expected to be voted on next week.
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