Before weighing the merits of Washington lawmakers imposing a gas tax on consumers in other states, it is prudent to point out the hypocrisy of Oregon leaders.
The Legislature is considering a tax of 6 cents per gallon on refined gasoline and diesel exported to neighboring states. The relevance: Washington has five oil refineries that supply the Northwest.
The idea is part of a $16 billion proposal to build and maintain roads and other transportation corridors in our state. Officials from Oregon, Idaho and Alaska — understandably — are opposed, claiming the plan amounts to taxation without representation for their residents.
“If Washington leaders are advancing a policy that impacts the working families on our side of the river without benefit, I expect, at the very least, the common courtesy of a phone call,” Oregon Gov. Kate Brown wrote in an opinion piece for The Seattle Times. “Unfortunately, no one in Washington state consulted with me or my office before bringing forward the shortsighted tax increase on fuel exported to Oregon, Alaska and Idaho. In Oregon, more than 90 percent of our fuel is refined in Washington.”
Indeed, creating divisions is not the wisest of strategies. Northwest states must work together to promote our common interests, not impose self-inflicted wounds. Yet Brown’s complaints ring hollow as her state pursues tolls along Interstate 5 and Interstate 205 in Oregon.
Plans call for tolls up to the state line on both federal highways. Such tolls would inequitably impact drivers from Washington, who comprise the majority of drivers on each interstate in northern Oregon.
Unless those tolls specifically go toward freeway improvements on sections frequented by Washington drivers, the plan amounts to unfair taxation. Yet Oregon leaders continue to advance a policy that impacts working families on our side of the river without benefit, to quote the Oregon governor.
“Gov. Inslee, and Washington legislators,” Brown wrote, “I am imploring you: put this bad idea back on the shelf, where it belongs. Let’s figure out a better way, together.”
For some reason, she failed to mention planned tolls. Nor did she mention that thousands of Washington residents pay income tax in Oregon without representation.
This is not an argument in favor of the proposed tax on fuel exports to Oregon and other states. If another state imposed a tax on Washington residents, we would expect Gov. Jay Inslee to be equally enraged. Too often, modern politics devolve into discussions of whataboutism, and the practice diminishes us and our ability to collectively get things done.
Regardless of Oregon’s tolling plan, the gas tax would be costly for Washington’s relationships. In Alaska, lawmakers have proposed a retaliatory tax on fish and oil exported from Alaska to Washington. In Idaho, the House of Representatives unanimously approved a resolution opposing the fuel tax. The question then becomes: Where does it end?
In Washington, Rep. Eric Robertson, R-Sumner, said: “We certainly don’t want to get into a trade war or lengthy litigation that would otherwise diminish our ability to move forward with a transportation plan.” Still, the House Transportation Committee voted 15-14 last week to keep the tax in the bill. Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver and the committee vice chair, argued, “If we move pieces around in this package before it gets its full process, it will be out of balance.”
Maintaining balance with neighboring states also is important. Washington lawmakers should make that a priority.
