House passes toll relief measure

Seaquist's bill would exempt sales and use taxes on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge

March 9, 2007

OLYMPIA— As the legislative cutoff looms legislators worked late into the night on Friday passing a number of bills, including a measure sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) to provide toll relief for Tacoma Narrows Bridge commuters.

House bill 2146 would change the sales and use tax deferral on the Narrows Bridge, to a sales tax exemption, saving local toll payers millions of dollars.

“Every single person in the 26th district will be paying these tolls,” Seaquist said. “Taxes are paid on the construction of the bridge, toll-payers will be paying for the construction of the project as well as the tax on the project, and as a result local toll-payers end up paying a tax twice – that’s not right.”

According to the legislation state sales and use taxes imposed on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project for which a deferral has been granted until 2012 would not need to be repaid. Instead states sales and use taxes collected are transferred to the tolling account of the project to reduce the cost of the project.

“This financial break on construction of the bridge is a fair deal and good for families. I hope the Senate will see that this is the fair and right thing to do and pass the bill on to the Governor's desk,” said Seaquist.

The measure passed the House by a vote of 96-1 and will now await further action in the Senate.

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Derek Baker (360) 786-7697; baker.derek@leg.wa.gov

Link to Rep. Seaquist’s Website and print quality photo:

http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/seaquist/

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2146&year=2007

Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on this issue, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell_da@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.