WA anti-tax activist Tim Eyman ‘spitting mad’ over proposed Pasco road fees
Correction: This article previously contained an error about city workshop meetings. The public may comment after each discussion topic during a workshop meeting.
Washington state anti-tax activist Tim Eyman is throwing his weight around in an effort to prevent Pasco leaders from imposing transportation taxes without voter approval.
The Pasco City Council is considering creating a transportation benefit district that would pay for citywide street improvements through either an added car tab fee or a sales tax increase.
The council first discussed the options at an Aug. 25 council workshop. The council didn’t vote, but gave city staff their general feeling on which option they preferred. Most opposed the idea of raising sales taxes, favoring a car tab fee.
There was an opportunity for the public to comment on the issue. The public may comment after each discussion topic during a workshop meeting.
The next step would be to create the district and vote on pursuing either the fee or tax increase. Then, there would be public hearings to hear comments before the council decides.
Eyman said he read about the discussion in the Tri-City Herald and began encouraging people statewide to speak out against the tax increase and car tab fee at next week’s council meeting on Monday, Sept. 15.
He sent an email newsletter on Thursday with the subject line, “Join me in person or remotely (Mon., 7 p.m.) and let’s slam Pasco Mayor & City Council for deciding to raise taxes at secret meeting without public input.”
He plans to attend Monday’s meeting in-person. He hopes residents and others will comment on the topic, saying that he will be “spitting mad.”
He told the Herald by phone on Thursday that the issue affects everyone in the state whether or not they live in Pasco. He said there could be a “domino effect,” leading other cities to increase fees.
Mayor David Milne told the Herald on Thursday that he had yet to see the city council agenda for Monday’s meeting to know if the transportation district is an item expected to be discussed.
He said he would be reviewing agenda items Friday morning with City Manager Harold Stewart.
Every regular meeting allows time for general public comments on any topic.
There will already be a packed schedule on Monday. The council has a special meeting planned at 6 p.m. to interview four applicants for the vacant District 4 council position. The finalist will be appointed to the council on Monday night.
Why is Tim Eyman getting involved?
Eyman, who lives in the Seattle area, said he’s jumping on an issue across the state because he is opposed to state and city governments increasing car tab fees and taxes without voter approval.
He’s been at the forefront of the debate since 1999, pushing “$30 Tab” initiatives forward to cap car tab fees at $30 and put an end to transportation benefit districts and other taxes.
He told the Herald on Thursday that when he watched the city council meeting on Aug. 25, he was infuriated. “In my view, if voters vote for it, I’m fine with that,” Eyman said. “But if you’re not even asking their permission, that to me is so antithetical to an open government.”
He noted that in 2019, 72% of Franklin County voters approved the I-976 state initiative that he sponsored to slash car tab fees.
The statewide ballot measure passed in November 2019, but it was later struck down by the Washington State Supreme Court in October 2020.
What’s the process to create a transportation district?
A city can either charge a vehicle license fee or increase sales tax as part of a transportation benefit district to raise money for road improvements.
The council could establish a car tab fee of up to $50 or a sales tax increase of up to 0.1% without voter approval, if the district covers the entire city.
The car tab fee would only apply to Pasco residents with registered vehicles, while the sales tax would affect anyone buying something in Pasco.
On Aug. 25, Mayor David Milne, Mayor Pro Tem Charles Grimm, Councilman Leo Perales and Councilwoman Melissa Blasdel were opposed to the sales tax increase and preferred implementing the car tab fee.
Councilwoman Blanche Barajas said she’d favor the 0.1% sales tax.
A sales tax increase of up to 0.3% would have to be decided by voters.
The tax would be in effect for at least 10 years.
The city is anticipating that the council could make a decision as soon as December 2025.
Council meeting Monday
The Pasco City Council meeting on Monday starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers on the first floor of Pasco City Hall at 525 N. 3rd Ave.
To sign up to speak during public comment remotely, you must complete a form on the city’s website. The form must be submitted by 4 p.m. Monday.
The meeting is streamed online on Pasco’s video on demand site, on YouTube at youtube.com/@PascoCityTV and on the city’s Facebook page at facebook.com/CityofPasco.
This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
