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State petroleum groups name
Armstrong 'Legislator of the Year'
Wenatchee
lawmaker lauded for negotiations on fuel tax bill
Rep. Mike
Armstrong
has been named "2007 Legislator of the Year" by the Washington Oil
Marketers Association and the Pacific Northwest Oil Heat Council for his
work to change a bill that would have harmed small fuel distributors in
Washington. The
award was presented to Armstrong, R-Wenatchee, during the association's
annual convention Thursday at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine.
During the 2007 session,
Senate Bill 5272 was introduced in response to a federal court ruling
which found that tribally-owned gas stations are exempt from the
requirement to collect the state gas tax. As originally proposed, the
bill would have eliminated the ability of distributors to wait and pay
suppliers the fuel tax seven days before it is due to the state (also
known as the "float"). It would have also removed fuel distributors'
credits and deductions for uncollected taxes from retailers and/or
consumers. In effect, this would have shifted the tax liability up to
suppliers and off the tribal reservations. Armstrong worked to secure an
amendment that would retain the distributors' credits and the float.
Association President Bob
Ogan, owner of Wenatchee Petroleum, said that he "has gained a whole new
respect for the work our state legislators do for us in Olympia." Ogan
said he was impressed that someone would take time to dig into such a
complex issue, be willing to stand up against other powerful political
interests, and support small businesses throughout Washington.
"Mike's work this year
saved my business from potential collapse -- all because he was willing
to do what was right, not what was politically easy. We need more people
like Mike in Olympia," said Ogan.
Other association members
noted that Armstrong's negotiations with the House Transportation chair
and Gov. Christine Gregoire prevented their businesses from losing jobs
and tens of millions of dollars on the gas-tax collection issue.
"Most everyone knew it was
not right to hurt these family businesses this way, but Representative
Armstrong was willing to actually do something about it," said Lea
Wilson, association executive director. "I applaud the House leadership
for entrusting Mike Armstrong, a Republican in a Democrat-controlled
House of Representatives, to be the leader on this issue. The Speaker of
the House stood side-by-side with Representative Armstrong who made sure
the issue was resolved without hurting anyone along the way. That is
true leadership."
Under the negotiated bill
which passed the Legislature, changes in statute will make sure
all gas taxes are collected by the state, and tribes may enter into
compacts with the state to get appropriate refunds. The refund
agreements will be negotiated between the governor and individual tribal
governments.
"It's a real honor to be
recognized for this work. When I first saw this bill, I knew that if it
passed without some meaningful changes, it could give tribes a free ride
at the great expense of hard-working businesses and families across
Washington. I wanted to ensure an equitable solution for all involved,"
said Armstrong. "We came up with an agreement that not only addresses
the concerns of the court and the tribes, but also protects the
financial viability of small petroleum distributors and their employees
throughout the state."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Public Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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