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Democrats push through unlimited sales tax increase March 6, 2009
OLYMPIA…Sen.
Don Benton, R-Vancouver, tried Thursday to stop a measure
that would authorize any number of high capacity transportation
corridors within the boundaries of a transit agency.
The measure,
Senate Bill 5540, sets no limit on the number of corridors that can
be created with each having separate authority to seek a .9 percent
sales tax.
“It’s a sham,” Benton said. “It’s taxation with representation. It’s
time for another Boston Tea Party!”
For Clark County, the bill would allow a “gerrymandered” corridor around
the Westfield Mall in Vancouver. It would take only half of the voters
in that small area to approve a new sales tax to pay for a light rail
project, while everyone who shops at the mall would pay the tax.
“It’s bogus,” Benton said. “This kind of thing is only fair and
equitable if you use a property tax as the revenue source and not a
sales tax. This way those who have a vote are the only people who pay.”
Benton proposed several amendments, including one to limit the number of
high capacity transportation corridors in a transit area to one and
another that would have required a vote of all residents in a county.
“When my amendments were voted down along party lines I went after the
bill,” Benton said.
“I can’t believe that my colleagues would want this massive taxing
authority in their communities. It is just unbelievable to me that this
bill passed with only one Democrat voting no.” The final vote was 30 to 17, with Sen. Tim Sheldon, D- Potlatch, voting with the Republicans. After the vote the bill was immediately transmitted to the House of Representatives by the Democrat floor leader. - 30 - Additional Contact: Penny Drost (360) 786-7522 or drost.penny@leg.wa.gov |