In 2002, Washington voters approved I-776, which rolled back vehicle registration fees to $30 and repealed local Motor Vehicle Excise Taxes (MVETs). After months of lawsuits, the constitutionality of I-776 has been upheld and the state is finally issuing refunds to motorists. Sound Transit, on the other hand, claims that it is above the law. The rogue transit agency continues to collect its repealed 0.3% MVET on the grounds that it has obligations to its bondholders. Of course, Sound Transit doesn't need the MVET to repay the bonds, it only wants the multi-billion dollar MVET revenue stream of which the bond debt is merely a tiny sliver. Nevertheless, Attorney General / Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christine Gregoire is siding with Sound Transit against the public.
Sound Transit critic / (Democratic) elected official Maggie Fimia e-mails:
What is happening with I-776? Why is Sound Transit the only jurisdiction allowed to continue collected their portion of the MVET?Fimia suggests that we contact Gregoire and ask her to start enforcing the law:In October, 2003, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of I-776. Nonetheless, Sound Transit refuses to follow the provisions and policies of voter-approved and court-backed I-776.
Unfortunately, Christine Gregoire, our State Attorney General, has allowed Sound Transit to get away with this for almost two years. She has defended removing the $15.00 flat fee, but has argued that to remove the .3% MVET for Sound Transit would “impair their contracts.” And is only implementing half of the law.
Of course, Sound Transit has the money to pay off any existing bonds – but by delaying action on implementing all of I-776, Christine Gregoire is allowing Sound Transit to continue spending money and putting us into more debt. They are the only agency allowed to disregard the law.
Even if you did not vote to support I-776, it passed and the Supreme Court ruled that it IS constitutional.
Once again, voter direction is ignored by our elected officials. The checks and balances we thought were in place apparently are not unless there are serious consequences and constant vigilance and action.
Attorney General's officeIn the meantime, vehicle owners may still have the last laugh. Sound Transit has the power to collect this tax only for cars registered within its geographical territory of King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties. What ST doesn't have is the power to require residents of these counties to actually register their cars there. It is still legal for Washington residents to register their vehicles at any address in the state, and there's no good reason to register your car in King, Pierce or Snohomish, unless you enjoy paying for the Sounder. Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at August 04, 2004 12:50 PM | Email This
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