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Republican leaders oppose road-usage charge in new bill, cite privacy, regressivity and administrative cost concerns
Summary
Republican leaders said they do not support replacing gas-tax revenue with a road-usage charge, arguing it would be regressive, hard to implement, raise privacy concerns and lack constitutional protection for transportation revenue.
OLYMPIA — Republican lawmakers at a press availability voiced opposition to a proposed road-usage charge (published as Senate Bill 5726 in questions at the event), saying the measure would be regressive, difficult to implement and create privacy concerns.
When asked about SB 5726, leaders said they do not support a stand-alone road-usage charge. They argued the gasoline tax remains simpler to collect, while a usage charge could require daily-tracking technology or burdensome self-reporting and would increase administrative costs relative to the gas tax. Senator Braun called it "not a viable solution" and raised concerns that usage charges are not constitutionally protected to ensure revenue is used for roads.
Speakers said they would prefer finding revenue already collected (for example, revenue from the Climate Commitment Act or sales tax shifts on new vehicles) to prioritize transportation funding rather than add a new usage fee. No legislative decision was made at the press availability; discussion of transportation funding was part of a larger Q&A about taxes and budget choices.
