Proposition No 1 on the WA 2016 General Election ballot for 2017, proposed an increase of the RTA tax in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties from 0.3 to 1.1% over the last year. On the surface, a 0.8% increase doesn't sound like much, but in fact translates to hundreds and even thousands of dollars for vehicle tab renewal. Ex: RTA tax for a motorhome went from $744 in 2016 to $2,744 in 2017 due to this increase, $2,000 more. Totally unacceptable. Pierce County voters rejected the proposition by 56% to 44% but are forced to pay the increases due to King and Snohomish Counties voters. Many vehicle owners are retirees with fixed income and this is a huge burden to them. First off, the changes that RTA proposes to make won't be done for years so this burden will be on vehicle owners until? Secondly, the improvements do not affect Pierce County residents as much as it will greatly benefit King and Snohomish counties.Thirdly, Pierce County voted it down.

This petition is requesting that, in the sense of fairness, the WA Legislature either exempt Pierce County from the increase or at least reduce the size of the increase. This needs to happen as soon as possible.

(6/16/17)