OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire’s plan to get transportation revenue through a fee on oil is unlikely to pass the Legislature.
Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said Thursday the plan doesn’t appear to have the momentum to get lawmaker approval this session. Gregoire had proposed a $1.50 fee on every barrel of oil produced in Washington in order to help pay for road projects.
Lawmakers are still examining other proposals to raise revenue that could offset cuts in education. Brown says they are still considering a plan to ask voters for a temporary increase in the state sales tax, and Democrats are working with Republicans to find other revenue ideas they could agree to. She says eliminating tax exemptions are among the ideas that lawmakers are exploring.
