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McCune joins call for relief
from tax on diesel
Rep. Jim McCune, disappointed
that state Democrats have refused to help the citizens of the state,
joined the call by House Republicans to a roll back of taxes on diesel
fuel for on-road vehicles.
“I’m very disappointed that the governor and the majority Democrats have
refused to consider our proposal to suspend the gas tax for all
motorists,” said McCune, R-Graham. “I’m now calling for the majority to
consider a three-month suspension of the tax on diesel fuel.”
House Republicans believe
the idea would offer relief to the economy in several ways, including
keeping downward pressure on the price of goods that are becoming more
expensive to move, and relief for agriculture and small business in
rural parts of Washington. It would also give relief to schools feeling
the pinch of high diesel prices used to operate bus fleets for
transporting students.
Lawmakers are in Olympia this week for scheduled committee meetings.
McCune said his caucus is ready to act on the idea if Democrats and the
governor agree to work on the proposal.
“We’ve got to help the school districts, the agriculture communities,
and the small business people,” McCune said.
Last week House Republicans proposed a three-month suspension of the
state’s 31-cent gas tax for all motorists, but the plan was rejected by
Gov. Gregoire and Democrats who control majorities in both chambers of
the Legislature. The plan to suspend the diesel tax for three months
would save taxpayers approximately $50 million. The Republican plan
calls for funds to be transferred from the nearly $1 billion surplus in
the state’s general fund to ensure no funding is lost for road projects.
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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