Rep. Chris Corry: Washington’s affordability crisis is real—And the gas tax increase is making it worse
Washington State is in the midst of a full-blown affordability crisis, and for working families, the pressure is growing unbearable. Between skyrocketing housing costs, expensive energy, rising food prices, and record-breaking taxes, many residents are being priced out of the very communities they’ve spent their lives building. The recent increase in our already-high gas tax is another blow to those trying to make ends meet.
This is not just about pain at the pump – though for many, that pain is severe and immediate. The 6-cent gas tax increase, consistently one of the highest in the nation, and the 12-cent increase in diesel, drives up the cost of everything that depends on transportation: groceries, school supplies, services, and commutes. For families living in rural areas, where there’s no viable public transit and every errand, health care appointment, or school activity requires a drive, the cost adds up quickly. Every extra cent per gallon is a tax on survival.
And yet, the Legislature continues to raise taxes while ignoring the root problem: Washington is too expensive for the average family. We have among the highest energy prices in the country, the fifth-highest cost of living, extremely high housing costs, and one of the most burdensome regulatory environments for small businesses.
This session, the Democrat-led Legislature passed the largest tax and fee increase in state history. These include increases in property taxes, business taxes, sales taxes for select industries, private health care insurance, hunting and fishing fees and more.
Now, we’re being asked to pay more for the “privilege” of driving on roads that are increasingly in disrepair. This is a slap in the face to all Washingtonians.
To make matters worse, Washington also has some of the highest per-mile road construction costs in the nation. Massive infrastructure projects routinely go billions over budget. Bureaucratic delays, bloated contracts, and a lack of accountability mean that taxpayers pay more and get less. When drivers are taxed at record levels, but roads remain riddled with potholes and bridges crumble, the system is broken—and trust in government erodes.
But high gas taxes are just one part of the problem. The state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) and its cap‑and‑invest system quietly add another hidden cost. Initially described by former Governor Jay Inslee as “pennies,” real-world estimates show energy suppliers passing on 40 – 60 cents per gallon of added costs. The CCA also drives natural gas and electricity prices higher, as seen in monthly energy bills that jump by 15 – 30% due to added fees.
Then there’s the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), a mandate on fuel suppliers to blend lower-carbon fuels or buy credits. Independent analysis shows it will contribute an additional 19-cents per gallon by 2031 and possibly raise diesel even more – costs that ripple through trucking, manufacturing, and everyday goods.
Put it all together: record gas taxes, a carbon-pricing CCA, and a far-reaching CFS. These add up to nearly $1 per gallon in added fuel costs – far from trivial. Every mile driven becomes more expensive. Every supply chain cost expands. Every Washingtonian’s budget tightens.
Enough is enough. Parents shouldn’t have to wonder whether they can fill their tank or pay rent and put food on the table. Working families deserve solutions—not virtue signaling and gimmicks masked as free‑market climate fixes funded by those who can least afford it and have no other travel options.
The people of this state deserve better. They deserve roads they can rely on, policies that make life more affordable – not less – and a Legislature that understands the difference between investment and overreach. If we want to keep Washington a place where the middle-class is attainable AND sustainable so families can thrive, we must start by saying no to endless tax hikes and yes to common sense.
(Rep. Chris Corry, R-Yakima, serves as the Deputy Republican Leader and is the former Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee)
