Gorton stumping for new road taxes

By David Ammons

Associated Press

RICHLAND — Former U.S. Sen. Slade Gorton, who was known for an aversion to new taxes while in office, is out asking state residents to swallow hard and vote this fall for higher taxes — in this case, for transportation.

Gorton, a former three-term senator, state attorney general and legislative leader, has joined Democratic Gov. Gary Locke in an unusual alliance to press for voter approval of Referendum 51 in November, just one year after losing his Senate seat to Democrat Maria Cantwell by less than 2,500 votes.

R-51 would provide $7.7 billion for state and local highways, mass transit and ferries. It includes a gas-tax hike of 9 cents a gallon, higher trucking fees and a 1 percent surtax on car sales.

On Saturday, Gorton brought the $4 million state roads campaign to Eastern Washington, where he rolled up his most impressive numbers in his eight statewide campaigns. Earlier in the week, he was in Bellingham, Everett and Tacoma.

Gorton said fiscal conservatives should distinguish between taxes to make government bigger and user fees that directly fix an infrastructure problem.

"This is roads, not government," he said in an interview.

Gorton said he came out of political retirement because he considers the transportation vote critical.

"The future of the state, in terms of its economic vitality, the safety of its highways and the lifestyle we live, depends on our willingness to make the investments we’ve ignored over the years," he told an Eastern Washington group.

He said he hopes the state GOP, which has previously embraced anti-tax measures, will at least stay neutral on Referendum 51, and that the party’s moderate wing will endorse it and make it a project for this year.

Gorton said he isn’t trying to roll up a border-to-border victory, but rather to hold down the opposition so supporters in central Puget Sound can carry the day.

"If it has 15 percent support over here, and I can raise it to 30 percent, metropolitan Puget Sound can put it over the top," he said.

Gorton said he’ll appeal to "narrow self-interest," as well as a more noble impulse to help a region strangling in traffic congestion.

Historically, counties outside central Puget Sound have gotten more back in road projects than they have sent to Olympia in gas taxes, he said.

The new plan has something for all parts of the state, but concentrates on the worst congestion — and most of that is in central Puget Sound.

"We are one single state community, and we do need help now in Puget Sound," Gorton said.

Independent pollster Stuart Elway said his latest statewide survey of 400 registered voters, taken by telephone last month, shows the measure is supported by 52 percent and opposed by 46 percent. The margin of error is 5 percentage points, which means a dead heat.

The poll shows the measure passing in King County, but nowhere else. Seventy percent of all yes votes were from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties, Elway said.

Former state Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison, who represented Eastern Washington in Congress for 12 years, conceded the gas tax is a tough sell. But he said Gorton has credibility in that part of the state, where voters might not listen to a tax-and-spend Democrat.

Farmers, business people and the tourism and wine industries will be key to the success in the region, Morrison said. "A trade-dependent state has to get its products to market," he said in an interview.

However, retired Boy Scout executive Phil Robins of Richland told Gorton, "People over here in Eastern Washington are generally madder than hell and think, ‘Hell no, I won’t vote for this thing.’ A 9-cent gas tax doesn’t have a prayer in Eastern Washington."

Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Jasmine Donahue talks about being a place for people leave messages when looking for family members, friends or loved ones on the street on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett extends deadline for homeless service facing closure

Hope ‘N Wellness must now comply with city zoning laws by April 30. The organization is “grateful,” its owner said, but still hopes for a permanent solution.

New Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce CEO CEO Wendy Poischbeg speaks at a kick off event on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Everett Rising’: Wednesday’s chamber luncheon to showcase a new era of growth.

The Greater Everett Chamber of Commerce is beginning its efforts… Continue reading

The Edmonds School District building on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds School District faces estimated $8.5 million deficit

The shortfall is lower than previous years, but the effects are “cumulative,” Superintendent Rebecca Miner said.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Hundreds rally against Trump on Presidents Day in Everett

People lined Broadway with signs and flags, similar to other protests across the country.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.