State Rep. Jake Fey, chair of the House Transportation Committee, said Saturday that he would introduce an amendment removing a proposed 6 cent-per-gallon tax on fuel exported to other states, deleting a provision that had brought bipartisan criticism from across the Pacific Northwest to a $2 billion funding provision of the “Move Ahead Washington” transportation package.

“We’ve been hearing people and been hearing their concerns,” Fey said. “Everything from the price of oil as it’s been, to the concern about what might transpire with what’s going on in Ukraine, to the response from the elected officials in Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.”

Idaho lawmakers had voted unanimously to oppose the tax. Some Oregon legislators had said they would end cooperation on an I-5 replacement bridge over the Columbia River. And Alaska’s Legislature had begun considering an oil export tax targeted at Washington.

Fey said he would look to fill the $2 billion hole in the $16.8 billion package by transferring $100 million a year for the next 15 years from the state’s public works account. That plan would cut $500 million in projects from the overall package.

Rep. Andrew Barkis, R-Olympia, said the public works account is “very guarded” by local governments. He proposed dedicating sales tax paid on motor vehicles to transportation preservation and maintenance. Unfortunately, a bill he proposed to do that did not receive a hearing this year.

Contact Government Affairs Director Mike Ennis to learn more and get involved.