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JULY 16, 2025
VOL. 106, NO. 29
PAIN AT THE PUMP QueenAnne Magnolia
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newsin effect State’s 6-cent per gallon gas tax hike now By Brett Davis | The Center Square
Motorists in Washington state are experiencing gas prices higher than the national average, in contrast to declining gas prices across much of the rest of the nation in recent months. As of this month, Washingtonians are paying even more to fuel up. The state’s gas tax increased by 6 cents per gallon, from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents. Starting July 1, 2026, it will rise each year by 2% to account for inflation. The state tax on diesel is also increasing by 3 cents per gallon, bringing the total tax to 58.4 cents per gallon. Additionally, there will be another 3-cent increase in the diesel tax in 2027. Starting in 2028, the diesel tax will increase by 2% annually to keep pace with inflation. Washington’s gas tax ranks as the third highest in the U.S., surpassed only by California and Pennsylvania This increase is part of a broader transportation revenue package approved by the Legislature this session. It is the first increase in the state’s gas tax in nine years.
STATE WELL ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE That’s probably little comfort to drivers in the Evergreen State who are, as of Tuesday afternoon, paying an average of more than $4.42 for a gallon of regular gas, according to AAA. The national average is just under $3.18. Washington currently ranks No. 3 regarding the highest average gas prices in the nation, behind only California and Hawaii. Gas prices have increased in Washington over the last year, bucking the national trend of declining gas prices.
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Beginning this month, Washingtonians are paying even more to fuel up. The state’s gas tax increased by 6 cents per gallon, from 49.4 cents to 55.4 cents. Starting July 1, 2026, it will rise each year by 2% to account for inflation.
‘Make this hurt’: Seattle bill hikes graffiti fines to $1,500 per violation By Spencer Pauley | The Center Square
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The proposed Seattle bill to combat ongoing illegal graffiti across the city has been amended to increase the fine to a maximum of $1,500 per violation.
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The proposed Seattle bill to combat ongoing illegal graffiti across the city has been amended to increase the fine to a maximum of $1,500 per violation. Proposed Council Bill 120995 originally set fines at $1,000, but Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka successfully had the fine increased through an amendment approved by a 2-0 vote with two abstentions. Saka proposed to raise the fines as a result of city data showing that a good number of taggers in the city are adults — some with careers of their own — rather than teenagers. “We learned from the demographics analysis presented from the City Attorney’s Office that some of the most prolific violators [are] at least not struggling and we need to make this hurt for them financially,” Saka said during a Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday. Some Seattle graffiti taggers have grown confident in their work by posting them on social media sites. This includes one prolific tagger who goes by “WESH”, who uses the Instagram handle “@ standardcriminal.” Due to Seattle’s $20.76 minimum wage, the
$1,500 fine equates to approximately 75 hours of community service that violators could serve instead. If passed, the fine would be very similar to other civil action, with a defendant being notified and having the opportunity to hire a defense counsel or defend themselves against the city’s accusations that the graffiti was caused by them. If the case goes to the city municipal court, it would be by court order that the penalty be levied against the tagger. If a tagger is able to show they are suffering from financial hardship, they could request they serve community service instead. Seattle City Council Chair Sara Nelson has continued to note that graffiti is the single most common complaint she receives from constituents across the city. According to Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison’s office, there were a reported 28,816 instances of graffiti vandalism in Seattle that resulted in the city spending approximately $6 million in tax dollars annually on graffiti cleanup. The Public Safety Committee gave a do-pass recommendation to the proposal and it will now face a final city council vote during the July 15 meeting.