The Washington State Legislature is once again looking for ways to fund highway improvements in the state, with possible solutions including a fuel tax hike and a surcharge on gross-weight fees for trucks.

A plan approved by the House Transportation Committee this week calls for an 8 cents per gallon fuel tax increase from the current 23-cent tax, a 1 percent sales tax on new and used vehicles, and a 20-percent increase on the $1,600 annual registration fees for trucks.
The proposed fuel tax would be put in place in two phases, with 4 cents added this October and another 4 cents a year later.
All the increases would go to voters for approval, possibly as early as May.
The House is expected to approve the bill Friday. Supporters predict the Senate will counteroffer with a 12-cent fuel tax increase, approved in the state Capitol rather than sent to voters.
A similar bill was defeated last year after a seven-month battle.
Owner Operator Independent Drivers Assn. Vice President Todd Spencer called increases at this level "simply way out of line," but noted that similar legislative proposals are likely in many states because of highway funding cuts expected at the federal level.