Dear Neighbor,
Greetings!
This marks the final week of the regular 2019 legislative session. While we do not have final transportation, capital and operating budgets just yet, Senate Democrats have introduced major tax proposals that will put a burden on the citizens of our state. They include:
Senate Bill 5993 – Would essentially represent a $300 million tax every two years on the refinery industry. The tax would be $1.39 per barrel on refined petroleum products, essentially doubling the current rate. Revenues are proposed to be split between the operating, capital and storm-water budgets. Washington refineries currently pay nearly three times the state and local taxes that a comparable California refinery does, primarily due to business and occupation (B&0) and Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) taxes.