Inslee: No New Taxes after Car Tab Initiative Passes, Hello Higher User Fees!

[bigtex]

Governor Inslee announced his 2020 supplemental budget today. Of course the big topic was the passage of the car tab initiative and how the state will make up for the cost. Basically it comes down to this, money that was previously generated by car tab fees for transportation funds will now come from the General Fund (taxes.) This obviously in turn means there will be less General Fund money. With WDFW's significant budget shortfall the WDFW Commission asked the Governor and Legislature for more General Fund money...then the car tab initiative passed....

So now that there will be less General Fund money where is the money that WDFW needs going to come from??

Higher hunting and fishing license fees of course! Oh and that Columbia River Salmon & Steelhead Endorsement will be back!

The exact fee increase amount has not been released, and of course this is all subject to legislature approval. It should be noted that when WDFW submitted it's budget request prior to the November election they were against license fee increases.

[Ridgeratt]

Governor Inslee announced his 2020 supplemental budget today. Of course the big topic was the passage of the car tab initiative and how the state will make up for the cost. Basically it comes down to this, money that was previously generated by car tab fees for transportation funds will now come from the General Fund (taxes.) This obviously in turn means there will be less General Fund money. With WDFW's significant budget shortfall the WDFW Commission asked the Governor and Legislature for more General Fund money...then the car tab initiative passed....

So now that there will be less General Fund money where is the money that WDFW needs going to come from??

Higher hunting and fishing license fees of course!

The exact fee increase amount has not been released, and of course this is all subject to legislature approval. It should be noted that when WDFW submitted it's budget request prior to the November election they were against license fee increases.

So what am I missing here. This is a new source of income for the state.

Washington state collected a total of $367.4 million in legal marijuana income and license fees in fiscal year 2018, all but $5.4 million of it from the state’s marijuana excise, or sales tax. The data are in the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board’s FY 2018 Annual Report (p. 15).
The report also shows that the marijuana revenues were $157 million more than that of liquor, and that the marijuana excise tax income to the state for fiscal 2018 of $367.4 million grew by almost $50 million from the prior year.
Revenues collected by the Liquor and Cannabis Board from legal cannabis taxes, license fees, and penalties are distributed as follow, according to the report:
General Fund – $198.9 million
Basic Health – $117.4 million
Cities, Counties – $15.0 million
Education, Prevention – $36.2 million
Research – $1.1 million
Other – $20.8 million  This is like the commercial  "Just what does the dishwasher do"

My bad that was used on his presidential campaign fund. 

[bigtex]

Governor Inslee announced his 2020 supplemental budget today. Of course the big topic was the passage of the car tab initiative and how the state will make up for the cost. Basically it comes down to this, money that was previously generated by car tab fees for transportation funds will now come from the General Fund (taxes.) This obviously in turn means there will be less General Fund money. With WDFW's significant budget shortfall the WDFW Commission asked the Governor and Legislature for more General Fund money...then the car tab initiative passed....

So now that there will be less General Fund money where is the money that WDFW needs going to come from??

Higher hunting and fishing license fees of course!

The exact fee increase amount has not been released, and of course this is all subject to legislature approval. It should be noted that when WDFW submitted it's budget request prior to the November election they were against license fee increases.

So what am I missing here. This is a new source of income for the state.

Washington state collected a total of $367.4 million in legal marijuana income and license fees in fiscal year 2018, all but $5.4 million of it from the state’s marijuana excise, or sales tax. The data are in the Liquor and Cannabis Control Board’s FY 2018 Annual Report (p. 15).
The report also shows that the marijuana revenues were $157 million more than that of liquor, and that the marijuana excise tax income to the state for fiscal 2018 of $367.4 million grew by almost $50 million from the prior year.
Revenues collected by the Liquor and Cannabis Board from legal cannabis taxes, license fees, and penalties are distributed as follow, according to the report:
General Fund – $198.9 million
Basic Health – $117.4 million
Cities, Counties – $15.0 million
Education, Prevention – $36.2 million
Research – $1.1 million
Other – $20.8 million

While weed may be bringing in $198.9 million to the general fund per year, the state expects to lose $320 million per year for the next 6 years due to the car tab fee reduction

[ipkus]

It should be noted that when WDFW submitted it's budget request prior to the November election they were against license fee increases.

So...are we going to be intellectually honest here, or are you just going to present WDFW’s spin on the topic?

WDFW was going into this session only asking for general fund money (and guarantees about its continuation into the future) because they are 0-3 the last three years making their case that they deserve higher license and tag fees.  They continually fail in their management duties of most species, pander to those who don’t actually pay enough or any fees that support the agency, and then throw their hands up in the air like they are baffled why those of us that do foot the bill don’t bend over and look back to say “yes please!!”

The truth sounds a whole lot different than the benevolent way you presented it.

[bigtex]

It should be noted that when WDFW submitted it's budget request prior to the November election they were against license fee increases.

So...are we going to be intellectually honest here, or are you just going to present WDFW’s spin on the topic?

WDFW was going into this session only asking for general fund money (and guarantees about its continuation into the future) because they are 0-3 the last three years making their case that they deserve higher license and tag fees.  They continually fail in their management duties of most species, pander to those who don’t actually pay enough or any fees that support the agency, and then throw their hands up in the air like they are baffled why those of us that do foot the bill don’t bend over and look back to say “yes please!!”

The truth sounds a whole lot different than the benevolent way you presented it.

The truth is exactly what I stated. WDFW did not request the fee increase, yes it is because it has not passed the past couple years. But that still does not change the fact that this proposal is from Inslee and not WDFW.

[ipkus]

You said they were against license fee increases, which they are most certainly not.  They are not requesting a license fee increase this session. Words matter.

[JimmyHoffa]

For what is saved in car tabs by the user, I don't think WDFW would increase fees enough to incur a loss to the user (if a solo hunter/multiple cars).  The people that could get nailed by a WDFW increase would be the one car family with multiple hunters/fishermen in the house.

[hunter399]

WDFW pissed money away to please anti-hunting groups with trying to have sportsmen footing the bill.All the while real mangement has been put on the back burner for a long time resulting in the herd numbers they have now.

The bottom line is charge more for less oppertunity every year has resulted in less hunters every year.WDFW care more about selling tags , than keeping sustainable populations.
Which I have said it for years ,if you have good hunting,good populations of deer and elk,tags pretty much sell them self at a higher price .But the biologists in this state don't seem to understand that counting a few deer in some ones backyard doesn't sell tags or oppertunity.

I would be willing to pay more.
With prioritys,goals,rule and reg changes starting all over the state .To include accountability if goal are not met.

But till then they can pound sand,Maybe there biologist can take a pay cut or there wolf moderater or someone down the line , not my problem.

[syoungs]

But till then they can pound sand,Maybe there biologist can take a pay cut or there wolf moderater or someone down the line , not my problem.

This is where I'm at too. They have done very little to nothing for the sportsman, wasted mass money on wolf issues, and totally neglected opportunity. Why should I worry about their budget when I get nothing in return?
I have 3 cars i register every year, soon to add a 4th when my son turns 16 this spring. The money I save on regriststion fees, and not buying big game tags in the state, will go right to my out of state fund.

[KFhunter]

I bought tags for nearly 40 years in WA, I'm pretty much done. 

Most I'll probably do is buy bear and cougar. 

[ne kid]

Inslee has dirt on the Clinton's, just a rumour I'm starting.

[Dan-o]

Inslee has dirt on the Clinton's, just a rumour I'm starting.

I heard the same rumor today!
Sounded really serious.

 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Just another reason to not by WA fishing and hunting licenses.   

[follow maggie]

But till then they can pound sand,Maybe there biologist can take a pay cut or there wolf moderater or someone down the line , not my problem.

This is where I'm at too. They have done very little to nothing for the sportsman, wasted mass money on wolf issues, and totally neglected opportunity. Why should I worry about their budget when I get nothing in return?
I have 3 cars i register every year, soon to add a 4th when my son turns 16 this spring. The money I save on regriststion fees, and not buying big game tags in the state, will go right to my out of state fund.

I’m with you guys. I hunted or fished in 5 states this year, and Washington wasn’t one of them.

[Special T]

Correct me if I'm wrong but there are some facts that are important.  The fish side is why we are in a hole. The director has been following agreements made on predator issues that have been slow played by past directors allowing Antis to stop culling of wolves and cats.

Now for some questions.

Do you think this director is more accepting of predator management that past ones? Do you think all bios suck? Or is your criticism more focused?
Where do you think the choke point is? Who can unclog it? How?

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