Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short

Washington state is set to raise its gas tax by 1.1 cents per gallon, making it one of the highest in the nation. This 2% increase, which is part of an annual inflationary adjustment mandated by a 2025 law, comes despite ongoing concerns about the state's transportation revenue falling short of projected needs. The rise in gas tax is intended to address infrastructure needs, but the revenue shortfall suggests challenges in maintaining and upgrading transportation systems. This situation highlights the tension between rising costs and funding availability for critical public services.