April 06, 2017
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A “Sound Transit Showdown” over unfair car tab taxes
April 05, 2017
Sound Transit is using a discredited method of valuing our cars so that they can collect a higher tax on our car tabs. It’s not fair and it’s not right. I’ve been spearheading efforts to hold Sound Transit accountable. The News Tribune of Tacoma just published my response to their... Read More...
O’Ban budget amendment aids future of UW Tacoma
March 24, 2017
Last night, the Senate Operating budget was amended to include a $400,000 appropriation for the University of Washington Tacoma branch. The amendment, offered by Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, ensures the expansion of the UW Tacoma law school by investing in a pre-law program to pave the way for the... Read More...
Public hearing on inflated car tab taxes
March 23, 2017
If you want to let the Legislature know your thoughts concerning the new car tab tax, this is your chance to testify. My bill to prohibit the state from collecting unfair car tab taxes is getting a public hearing Monday, March 27. I hope you can make it and have your... Read More...
Car tab fight in Olympia
March 23, 2017
What is the Republican-led Senate Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) doing to stop Sound Transit from unfairly inflating our car tab bills and how can we hold Sound Transit accountable? What effect would the MCC budget plan have on your local school’s funding and on your property taxes? You will find... Read More...
Car tab collection at risk for Sound Transit with O’Ban amendment to transportation Budget
March 23, 2017
Sound Transit faces a new hurdle for their notoriously inflated car tab valuations—the Senate transportation budget. An amendment to the Senate transportation budget passed the Senate Transportation Committee today that would prohibit the Department of Licensing (DOL) from collecting a motor vehicle excise tax for a regional transportation authority unless... Read More...
Senate budget reveals big wins for Pierce County schools, taxpayers
March 21, 2017
The Republican-led Senate Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) released a $43 billion budget proposal that fully funds basic education and reforms the school levy system. The changes would mean a big influx of funding for Pierce County schools and big savings for taxpayers, according to Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place. The... Read More...
Senate majority unites behind measure to stop unfair Sound Transit taxes
March 16, 2017
New O’Ban-Rossi bill would prohibit state from collecting taxes for regional agency Yesterday, the Senate’s Republican-led Majority Coalition Caucus increased pressure on Sound Transit to treat its taxpayers fairly by proposing that the state Department of Licensing stop collecting the transit agency’s inflated car-tab taxes. “If Sound Transit wants to tax... Read More...
O’Ban still seeking answers from the governor on WSP felony checks
March 14, 2017
Sen. O’Ban originally sent a letter to Gov. Inslee on Feb. 17 regarding an incident in which a WSP officer contacted federal immigration authorities after a routine license check revealed the holder to be a previously deported drug felon. The WSP launched an administrative review of the officer, which led... Read More...
DOL response to Sound Transit contract inquiry
March 13, 2017
Last week, Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, and Sen. Dino Rossi, R-Sammamish, advised the Department of Licensing (DOL) not to renew any contract to collect fees for Sound Transit until the Legislature has completed its budgetary and policy bills for the 2017 session. DOL responded via a letter revealing that... Read More...
