OLYMPIA, Wash. — For more than 100 years, the state has relied on a gas tax to pay for roads.
That could be changing.
As cars become more fuel-efficient or fuel-free, the funding source for state transportation projects is not generating as much as budget writers planned.
During a state Senate Transportation Committee meeting Tuesday, senators were told to expect multi-billion dollar budget shortfalls in coming years because of declining gas tax revenue and increasing construction costs.
Could legislators look at raising the gas tax when they return to Olympia in January?
“It would be at the bottom of my list,” said Sen. Marco Liias, Senate Transportation Committee chair.
He said residents will likely see projects delayed as a result of the shortfall.
Liias also said legislators need to “have the conversation” of transitioning to a pay-by-mile system as a new way to generate revenue for roads.
The Washington State Transportation Commission has been studying that idea since 2011.
Executive Director Reema Griffith said more than 1,100 drivers participated in a pilot project and more than 70% said they liked the pay-by-mile system.
“People, I think, were surprised to see that tradeoff and to realize it’s not that bad. And if it’s going to help fund our system and make sure everybody’s paying their fair share,” said Griffith.
Griffith said under the commission’s recommendation, participating drivers would receive refunds for gas taxes paid.
Liias said the state’s budget woes would worsen if voters throw out the state’s Climate Commitment Act in November.
Liias said that legislation is expected to generate more than $5 billion in transportation funding over the next 10 years.