Are you tired of paying hundreds of dollars for your car-tabs? You’re not alone. Earlier this week, seven Puget Sound area residents filed a class-action lawsuit against Sound Transit, claiming the transit organization has “unconstitutionally collected car-tab taxes.”
Sound Transit uses a vehicle valuation system that is extremely outdated and has lead to skyrocketing car-tab fees. According to KING 5, “The issue hinges on a Senate bill that Governor Jay Inslee signed in July 2015, allowing Sound Transit to ask for voter approval for additional funding for Sound Transit 3 (ST3)… The suit claims the Senate bill was unconstitutional, because it referenced a motor vehicle excise tax and valuation schedule that the state legislature had repealed 15 years prior.”
State Senator Phil Fortunato (R- Auburn) recruited the lawyers for the suit, which is seeking over $240 million in damages from Sound Transit.
As Sound Transit has continued to use a repealed vehicle valuation system that leads to car-tab fees of hundreds of dollars, many Puget Sound residents are rightfully upset. Voters got more than they bargained for with the new car-tab tax increase. Thankfully, Republicans like Senator Fortunato are working to make sure car owners see car-tab relief.