Brad Hawkins Says Transportation Budget Moving Slowly while B&O Tax Increases Looking Likely

Work on the State Transportation Budget is underway, but is very challenging after the passage of Initiative 976 which lowered car tabs, but is currently in limbo due to a court challenge.

12th District Senator Brad Hawkins says Washingtonians clearly want relief from excessive fees.

"I had a conversation with the Transportation Chair recently on this issue and he said, basically, what I think they're trying to do for the budget is to budget based on the fact that the Initiative is going to go through in the courts and be upheld. But if in case it's struck down, there would be triggers to replenish certain accounts that the revenues would come out of."

He called it a creative solution though it's a wait and see approach.

Hawkins also noted that Democrats don't seem interested in a legislative fix to keep the $30 car tabs.

The State Senate also discussed proposed changes to last year's business and occupation, or B&O tax increase.

Hawkins says the increase last year was about workforce education and a free college program.

"It turns out that they were a little bit rushed in their haste to approve these tax increases last year and the revenues they were collecting, that were starting to come in under the B&O tax increase that was approved last year, it wasn't enough to fund the things that they wanted. So, they either needed to make some cutbacks in their budget this year or make some adjustments and generate a little bit more revenue."

Hawkins called it a frustrating situation.

Hear the full interview below: