Transportation Package Includes 11.5 Cent Gas Tax Increase

Senate majority leaders have unveiled an updated $12.3 billion transportation revenue package that includes an 11 1/2-cent gas tax increase, but acknowledged that they don't yet have enough votes within their caucus to move forward this session unless a series of reform bills are passed first.

Senate Transportation Committee co-chairman Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, introduced the proposal on Thursday. He was joined by Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom and others from the Majority Coalition Caucus, a predominantly Republican coalition in the Senate. King said as of now, just 13 of the majority caucus' 26 members would vote for the proposal.

In addition to the gas tax increase over the next three years, the plan also seeks to redirect sales tax money from transportation projects to a transportation fund instead of the state's general fund.

Senate leaders say they are ready to resume negotiations on the issue with House Democrats and Gov. Jay Inslee.