This could apply to an increase in boat-rental fees, photocopying at the library, a bottle of gin at the state liquor store. Expect lawsuits by the truckload. I-695 may look like a freebie, but anyone who votes for this proposal should learn to love traffic jams because there will be no relief in sight. Bonds supporting Referendum 49, voter-approved transportation improvements, probably won't sell. I-695 has great emotional appeal.
Nobody likes taxes and the car tax is particularly bothersome.
Unlike a property tax or sales tax that wraps into another bill, the car-tax bill sits as a looming presence until it is paid. Efforts to undo the tax are not part of a thoughtful, comprehensive overhaul of the state tax system. This is a hand grenade thrown to cut taxes now and worry about the consequences later. Voters are busy people. They don't have time to study state tax structure and compare Washington's taxes to 49 other states.