Washington Republicans set sights on tribal gas tax compacts

Friday, March 18, 2011  

Republicans in Washington are issuing a "wake-up" call to tribes on gas tax compacts, one lawmaker said.

The state entered into the compacts following a federal court decision that said tribal gas stations are protected by sovereign immunity. Republicans want to alter the deal in order to gain more control of how tribes spend their share of gas taxes.

"I think it is just a wake-up call to say, you know, we should be paying attention to some of this," Rep. Mike Armstrong (R) told Washington State Wire of a bill he introduced. "And if it does nothing than to have the tribes get engaged in the process a little bit and show us where some of the money is being spent, I think that would be helpful."

Armstrong's bill also requires stricter auditing of tribal gas tax revenues.

Get the Story:
Republicans want to revisit tribal gas tax refunds (The Seattle Post-Intelligencer 3/18)
Republicans Fume About Indian Gas-Tax Deal (Washington State Wire 3/11)