The Alaska House of Representatives, in their effort to mount pressure on Washington State to step back from a possible trade war, passed HR 11. It passed by a 33-2 vote, which would urge Washington state to reject SB 5974, which would impose a tax of six cents per gallon on gasoline and diesel fuel exported from the state.
Rep. Ivy Spohnholz told the House Floor:
“Essentially this resolution allows this body to weigh in on the critical and time sensitive matter where Washington State is seeking to adopt a six cent per gallon tax on fuel exported from their state. This resolution asks the Washington State Legislature and the Governor to strike this particular provision from their bill for four different reasons. It’s in violation of Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. It has a disproportionate impact on Alaskans. Alaska is not able to refine our own fuel to the degree that we would need because of the economic challenges and so we rely on our partnership with our friends down in Washington State. The proposed taxes receive broad bipartisan opposition from Americans across the Pacific Northwest. Clearly, this tax is unconstitutional because it essentially taxes Alaskans to pay for infrastructure in the State of Washington.”
The proposed tax from Washington State would place a substantial and undue burden on Alaska residents for the purpose of funding projects and offsetting business costs in Washington. State legislators feel that residents of this state shouldn’t be subject to taxation without representation. Fishermen, fish processors, shippers, business owners, commuters, municipalities, villages, and residents of Alaska have urged the House of Representatives to take steps to stop the tax.
If necessary, the State House could pursue reciprocal legislation.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.