File photo. Most of that money would have come from transit and nonroad projects. The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the case on June 30, with Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson tasked with defending I-976. img.src = src; One of Eyman’s main targets with the initiative was Sound Transit, which is building a regional light rail network paid for in part by higher car-tab fees. The court … src += '&cid=1'; src += '&dr=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location.href); Tim Eyman, sponsor of the initiative, and Rep. Jim Walsh said they’ll be at the steps of the state Supreme Court in Olympia at 11:30 a.m. Thursday with their reaction to the decision. Now, as they grapple with the economic fallout from a global pandemic, high unemployment and the closure of businesses, I-976 is one less thing they have to worry about. the state Supreme Court struck down Initiative 976, lose a total of about $4.2 billion in revenue for transportation and transit projects, What Is The Sound Of Grief? I-976 ($30 car tab) ruled unconstitutional. Leadership Circle I-976 would have wiped out those local taxes, reducing local transportation spending by about $60 million per year. Those exist to prevent a practice known as “log-rolling,” which occurs when an initiative combines multiple topics that are not necessarily related to each other. We will continue to collect all current vehicle fees and taxes. Download KTNW Schedule Puget Sound voters approved that transit expansion, and the increased fees, in 2016. On October 15, 2020 the Washington State Supreme Court ruled I-976 unconstitutional. OLYMPIA, Wash — The Washington state Supreme Court ruled Thursday an initiative approved by voters nearly a year ago that would cap car-tab fees is … Eyman had previously proposed two other measures to cut car-tab fees, each of which was similarly thrown out or partially blocked by the courts. Thanks for visiting www.nwpb.org. Washington Supreme Court. I-976 fallout: Inslee postpones all upcoming WSDOT projects. Estate Planning The new year brings an internal change to our organization, joining TV and radio. Don't expect your license tabs to go down to $30 any time soon. src += '&t=pageview'; It was found to be unconstitutional for violating the single subject rule and inaccurate ballot title. For the third time in state history, a measure promising to cut car-tab taxes to $30 a year has been blocked by Washington state courts. Together, we’re NWPB. I-976, the $30 car tab measure approved by voters in 2019 has been struck down by the Washington State Supreme Court. Your support matters. Welcome to the new digital home of Northwest Public Radio and Northwest Public Television. Composer Osvaldo Golijov Puts It To Music, Census Director To Quit After Trying To Rush Out ‘Indefensible’ Report, For Many Areas, Count Of Homeless Population Is Canceled, Or Delayed, Washington Will Use National Guard, Partners With Microsoft, Costco, More To Boost Vaccine Delivery, 3 Questions And The Emerging Answers About COVID-19 Vaccine Protection, NASA’s 8-Minute Rocket Test Shuts Down After 67 Seconds. — The Washington State Supreme Court will hear the $30 car tabs case. Download KWSU Schedule “Pierce County and the voters in my district voted overwhelmingly for I-976,” Senator Steve O’Ban said in a news release. Listen Online Learn more from our I-976 Fact Sheet. They also allege that it violated a rule stating that local matters should be decided locally, rather than on statewide ballot measures. Contact Information What the Washington Supreme Court ruling on $30 car tabs means for Spokane State estimates say I-976 would have cut more than $4 billion in tax revenue by … Earlier this year, legislators addressed the immediate problem mostly with one-time fixes, such as transferring money between accounts, rather than making deep cuts. var src = 'https://www.google-analytics.com/collect?v=1'; Today’s decision to overturn I-976 is an incredible victory for the 76 percent of Seattle voters who rejected this initiative last November, and for everyone who wishes to build a more inclusive city focused on correcting our historic shortcomings. Public Inspection Files, About Us The measure has been on hold for nearly a year as legal challenges worked their way through the court system. This sustains the local resources needed to investment in asset maintenance and leaves local funding options in place that allows Seattle voters to choose how they want to invest in our vital transportation and transit system.”, Seattle City Council President Lorena González says the ruling is a win for Seattle voters, who “know the importance of investing in and growing our transit systems.”, “Today’s Washington State Supreme Court ruling that Initiative 976 is unconstitutional, is a win for Seattle voters, who in 2019 overwhelmingly voted to reject Tim Eyman’s I-976,” she said. The decision means state and local car-tab taxes can remain at their current levels. Business Support & Community Sponsor, Editorial Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use. If your current tabs expired less than 12 months ago, we'll give you a new full year registration period. Public Documents Coverage Area, Support Us — A Washington state Supreme Court ruling could mean refunds for car owners in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. © 2021 Bonneville International. Most car-tab charges in Washington are flat fees. The Washington Supreme Court unanimously struck down Tim Eyman's Initiative 976 in a ruling issued Thursday. Mr. Eyman has never sponsored an initiative that’s withstood legal challenge, so today’s decision shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Those challenging the legality of the proposal are also chiming in with their reactions after the decision, including Seattle City Attorney Pete Holmes. Watch Online src += '&dl=' + encodeURIComponent('https://crosscut.com/news/2020/10/wa-supreme-court-rules-30-car-tab-initiative-unconstitutional'); var img = document.createElement('img'); OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Tim Eyman's I-976 initiative that would have reduced car tab fees to $30 has been ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court. Just before the full decision was released, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan tweeted: Justice for Seattle voters prevailed in today's Supreme Court ruling on I-976. — The Washington state Supreme Court heard arguments about whether a voter-approved car-tab tax cut was legal or if its ballot title misled voters. 'Snow looks likely' as soon as Sunday in Puget Sound region, Rantz: Councilmember Gonzalez renews push to fire white Seattle police officers, COVID, Dem co-sponsor give latest bid to expand gambling in WA new life, Sign up to receive the Most Popular email, Repealing of a state statute that allows the imposition of a vehicle fee for a Transportation Benefit District, Repealing of the local option motor vehicle excise tax for passenger-only ferry service. Vehicles with tabs overdue by more than two months can cost up to $228 and be impounded by law enforcement. A ballot measure to lower car tab fees and some other taxes for vehicles is unconstitutional, the state Supreme Court said today. State officials had estimated I-976 would cause state and local governments to lose a total of about $4.2 billion in revenue for transportation and transit projects over the next six years. It also would implement a laundry list of tax and fee reductions, including: In addition to the city of Seattle and King County, plaintiffs include the Garfield County Transportation Authority, Washington State Transit Association, Association of Washington Cities, the Port of Seattle, Intercity Transit, Amalgamated Transit Union Legislative Council of Washington, and Michael Rogers, an individual with cerebral palsy in Lacey. I am deeply disappointed that the court ignored taxpayers, rejected the holding of the lower court, and struck down the voter approved I-976.”. The fate of $30 car tabs in Washington will be decided by the state Supreme Court. 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