Local News Sunday, January 2, 2000, 01:28 a.m. Pacific

King County to argue for new taxes

by Brier Dudley Seattle Times staff reporter

Don't spend your license-tab savings just yet. King County is pressing legislators to allow other taxes, such as a higher sales tax, to make up for its losses under Initiative 695. One of those is a new motor-vehicle excise tax. County Executive Ron Sims is floating a list of 10 potential taxes that could provide the $100 million a year Metro Transit used to receive from the state's motor-vehicle excise tax. If approved, the new taxes would cost each county resident an average of $60 per year. But some are skeptical that lawmakers would authorize any of the taxes and that voters would approve them, as required by I-695. The state's richest, most populous county may find a lack of sympathy in a Legislature heavily influenced by politicians from rural counties that were struggling even before I-695. "They've got tons of money," said Rep. Clyde Ballard, R-Wenatchee, co-speaker of the House. "If they want problems, they should come to Eastern Washington and look at our economy. "We have real complications where we have people going bankrupt and going out of business." The proposals drafted by Sims and presented to legislators at a reception last month include: A 0.3 percent increase in the local sales tax. A $100 yearly tax on every vehicle. A motor-vehicle excise tax of 1 percent of Blue Book value or 0.725 percent of suggested retail prices. A penny-a-mile tax based on odometer readings. A 1 percent business-and-occupation tax. A 1 percent property sales tax. A parking-space tax on commercial real estate. Under I-695, King County may increase existing taxes or fees with voter approval. But any new taxes - and an increased sales tax - would need authorization from the Legislature before a public vote. Any one of the taxes proposed by Sims would cover the shortfall at Metro Transit, which lost a third of its operating budget to I-695.

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crossiwnds.net), January 02, 2000

Answers

One can only hope that the democrats will be so stupid as to vote for tax increases in a post-695, election year.

Westin

Have you emailed Rep. Fisher (fisher-ru@leg.wa.gov) to resign today?

-- Westin (jimwestin@netscape.net), January 03, 2000.

As much as I wouldn't want to see any new taxes, it is amusing to watch Sims try to figure out some new sources of revenue.

Along the same lines, it's fascinating to see some of there ideas for new taxes:

1) penny/mile based on odometer readings. . .duh, used car dealers would have a fit. I imagine black and decker would be pretty happy tho'.

2) parking space tax on commercial real estate. . .this one is particularly remarkable. It's designed to raise money for transit and make it more expensive for people to commute at the same time. I've never really been sure what the term social engineering means, but I'd bet this comes pretty close.

What I find most remarkable is that Sims has gone to the state legislature for these increases. . .not to the people of King County.

-- Brad (knotwell@my-deja.com), January 03, 2000.

no ron sims will not "get it" this would require intelligence and rational thought. sims' only goal now is revenge. we have dared to question his benevolent leadership and have chosen (democratically) to keep a little more of our money. this pathetic coward (sorry, nothing else fits) must be voted out. along with your e-mails to the bald faced lier ruth fisher, you should include a note to ron sims. hoping for a resignation. but reminding him of how you will vote. i was ashamed to see this tax and spend moron on stage with steve largent and the kingdome closing event.

richard

-- richard (ragman88@yahoo.com), January 05, 2000.