Gregoire considers tax on toxics, oil

"Gov. Chris Gregoire said today she doesn’t believe industry warnings that a tax increase on toxic substances such as oil must lead to a boost in gas prices.

Two proposals to nearly triple the state tax on hazardous materials were formally introduced Monday in the Legislature. As this story in The Olympian spelled out on Saturday, the bills nearly triple the tax on hazardous substances such as oil products and pesticides, raising close to $225 million a year that would pay for storm-water projects and help plug the state’s general-fund deficit..."