News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 12, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke, Democrats vow to block transfer of vehicles to property tax rolls

OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke and Democratic leaders of the state Legislature have agreed they will not allow Washington residents' cars to be taxed as property in the wake of the passage of Initiative 695.

Locke said this legislation is needed because I-695, in changing the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET), removed language in the MVET law that prohibited returning cars, trucks and recreational vehicles to the property tax rolls. For many years, before MVET was created, cars were taxed as property.

"I have pledged that I will not allow vehicles to be placed again on the property tax rolls, and I have a commitment from the Democratic leadership in both the state Senate and House to back up that pledge," Locke said. "We have agreed to introduce a bill to follow through on this pledge."

Sid Snyder, state Senate majority leader, echoed Locke's sentiments: "To allow vehicles to be put back on the property tax rolls would be stepping backward. Democrats are not going to allow that."

State Rep. Frank Chopp, co-speaker of the state House of Representatives, said, "The intent of Initiative 695 was not to trade one tax for another. This bill honors the will of the people."

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