House Bill 2946 would uphold voters’ demand for $30 car tabs
With last week’s state revenue forecast revealing a $2.4 billion budget surplus, House Republican budget lead, Rep. Drew Stokesbary, introduced a bill that would provide $1 billion in tax relief for Washington’s working families. Eighteenth District Reps. Brandon Vick and Larry Hoff joined every member of the House Republican Caucus, including 17th District Reps. Paul Harris and Vicki Kraft, in signing on to the measure.
Vick and Hoff issued the following statement Monday:
“We have repeatedly discussed the importance of lawmakers respecting the will of the people. Not only have voters expressed their desire for $30 car tabs — including by an overwhelming margin in the 18th District — but they have also repeatedly rejected new taxes when they’ve been on the ballot. For the majority party to not have a plan to implement $30 car tabs, and for the first bill signed into law by the governor this session to be a tax increase, truly shows how out of touch they are. We are committed, as are our House Republican colleagues, to providing significant tax relief for Washingtonians and working to alleviate the financial burden brought on by the majority’s policies. Along with this billion-dollar tax cut, we will continue pushing for a reduction in the state property tax and for a prohibition on local income taxes.”
House Bill 2946 would:
• Uphold voters’ demand for $30 car tabs, while ensuring stable funding for roads and transit.
• Eliminate the sales tax on prepared food items sold at grocery stores.
• Eliminate the sales tax on personal necessities like feminine hygiene products, breast pumps, and diapers.
In a news release last week, Stokesbary, R-Auburn, said the following:
“House Republicans are intent on delivering $30 car tabs this session. Unfortunately, the majority party has not shown any willingness to uphold the clear will of the voters. House Bill 2946 provides a path forward to implement $30 car tabs without compromising transportation projects, while also offering meaningful sales tax relief on food and many personal necessities. I’m proud to be united with my House Republican colleagues in working to make life more affordable for all Washingtonians.”
“The measure would lower car tabs to $30, just as voters wanted when they passed Initiative 976 in November,” Kraft wrote in an email. “The initiative remains on hold while being challenged in the courts, which means the $30 car tabs are suspended. Our legislation would provide an IMMEDIATE reduction of the car tab fees, as opposed to waiting for the courts to work it out. House Bill 2946 would also eliminate the sales tax on prepared food items and personal necessities, such as hygiene products. ”
The 2020 session is scheduled to adjourn March 12.
Information provided by Washington State House Republican Communications, houserepublicans.wa.gov
