GOP faithful grill Woods on gas tax

Published 11:00 am Saturday, September 16, 2006

The incumbent defends her record.

Their plates cleared and bellies full, Bainbridge Republicans still had enough appetite to bite into one of their own.

Rep. Beverly Woods, a Kingston Republican, was chastised Wednesday over her support for a gas tax increase at a luncheon hosted by Bainbridge Island Republican Women.

“What can you do to regain our confidence?” asked one of the nearly 50 attendees gathered at Wing Point Golf and Country Club for the event. Attendees asked four questions of Woods, three of which pertained to her support for a 9.5-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase during the last legislative session.

The tax is phased over four years, with the first 3-cent increase taking effect in July.

The $8.5 billion package is aimed at replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle, the Highway 520 floating bridge over Lake Washington and numerous other transportation improvements across the state.

Woods, a three-term representative of the 23rd Legislative District – which includes Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap and parts of Bremerton – said her support for the tax was aimed at ensuring quality transportation services in a district dependent on bridges and ferry service.

“I know a lot of you disagree with my vote for the gas tax,” she said. “I hope we can agree to disagree on that issue, because I fear there’s more at stake than one vote over seven years (in the state Legislature).”

Woods is squaring off for a tough fight with challenger Christine Rolfes, a Democrat and former Bainbridge Island city councilwoman. Rolfes has so far outpaced Woods’ campaign fundraising efforts, particularly through sizable donations from wealthy islanders.

As of Friday, Rolfes had over $105,000 in cash and in-kind contributions to Woods’ $88,000.

Woods stressed that she may be all the GOP has representing Kitsap County in state government. Unless another Republican is voted into office after Sen. Bob Oke of Port Orchard retires, Woods will be the sole Kitsap Republican in the state Legislature.

“It’s extremely important to hold this seat in the 23rd district,” she said. “If we lose it to a Democrat, we’ll never get it back. I really need the support of the Republican Party.”

Woods said her vote for the gas tax increase will help ensure the state transportation budget is adequately funded. Transportation is primarily funded through taxes on gas, licensing and car tab fees, and state patrol traffic tickets.

“That’s the money we use for transportation and it’s been a flat tax over the last 20 years,” she said. “It hasn’t increased to (an adequate) level. We can’t think about building new roads if we can’t take care of the roads already built.”

Woods said she helped whittle down an earlier proposal to increase the gas tax by 25 cents, and characterized herself as a strong advocate for ferry users.

“I did put money into ferries,” she said. “We’ll have five new ferry boats (to replace) some that were built in 1927. I supported (work) on the terminal pilings on Bainbridge Island that desperately needed to be replaced.”

At the same time, Woods said she has championed new performance audits for Washington State Ferries and tough negotiations with ferry worker labor unions and has opposed additional cost burdens on riders.

“I voted consistently against any fare increases,” she said. “Obviously, I was out-voted (but) I’m sticking my neck out.”

Woods also highlighted her voting record on key conservative issues.

“I voted against the gay rights bill and the (vehicle) emissions bill, which has had the environmentalists coming after me big time,” she said. “I’m very much a conservative Republican and will uphold those values.”