Survey: Washingtonians overwhelmingly support lower gas taxes

Survey shows majority of Washington State residents want lower gas tax and believe carbon tax is increasing gas prices, with over half thinking the state is on the wrong track and 37% considering moving out. Photo courtesy Colleen Michaels.

Researchers found that more than half of those polled – 53 percent – thought the state is now on the wrong track

Glenn Minnis
The Center Square Washington

Nearly three out of four residents favor lowering the state’s 49.4 cents per gallon gas tax, according to a new Washington State Spring 2023 Priorities Survey.

The survey of 600 registered voters was conducted from June 5 through June 7 in conjunction with Echelon Insights, an Alexandria, Virginia-based research institute. It found that 71% of respondents felt the gas tax is too high and that state officials should be working to lower the overall cost of living in Washington.

That contrasts with 16% of voters who indicated they thought the gas tax should be higher as a way of generating revenue for the state and fighting climate change.

The survey also asked about the perception of gas prices in Washington compared to other states, with 79% of respondents saying they believed they pay more for gas. Only 14% believed the prices were about the same.

At the time of the survey, Washington had the third-highest gas prices in the nation, which was mentioned in a poll question.

Since then, gas prices in the Evergreen State have become the highest in the nation, with some experts linking that to Washington’s new carbon-pricing program launched this year that charges businesses for the greenhouse gases they emit. The first two quarterly auctions have brought in more than $850 million.

Respondents were asked if they believed the carbon tax resulted in higher gas prices, with 60% answering affirmatively, 21% saying they were unsure and 19% believing it didn’t increase prices.

Beyond energy, the survey asked a variety of issues, including homelessness, crime and policing.

Researchers found that more than half of those polled – 53% – thought the state is now on the wrong track. More than one in three people – 37% – said that if given the opportunity they would move out of Washington.

The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.