Washington State lawmakers are toying with an idea that would add a new delivery fee to online and retail orders to help fund the state’s road infrastructure.
A spokesperson for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC), which represents more than 280 cities across the state, said many cities are struggling to maintain the roads due to tight budgets.
Gas taxes currently support the state’s road infrastructure, but the amount of funding is declining due to people purchasing more electric vehicles and fuel-efficient vehicles, the spokesperson added.
The Joint Transportation Committee, which is bipartisan, is currently researching studies and gathering data on how this new fee could impact Washington for lawmakers to possibly consider.
“The revenues generated would range anywhere from 45 to 112 million per year that then could be distributed to local governments in the state for transportation,” said Dave Catterson, Joint Transportation Committee coordinator.
