Koster Opposes Hazardous Substance Tax

ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON - February, 26, 2010 - Snohomish County Councilman John Koster, candidate for the U.S. Congress in Washington's 2^nd Congressional District, announced today that he strongly opposes passage of Senate Bill 6851 and House Bill  3181. These identical bills would triple the state's hazardous substance tax rate from 0.7 to 2.0 percent. 

John Koster said "This is a direct attack on the four refineries located in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and the numerous other companies such as CH2M-Hill and Anvil Corporation that support the energy industry in the Northwest.  Here we have unemployment at record high levels and the State of Washington wants to raise taxes so high it will likely result in a loss of family wage jobs for hundreds in Whatcom and Skagit County. This is terrible idea that is unacceptable at best.

"We need to focus on job growth, not taxing businesses until they fail.  A better idea is to provide incentives for our four oil refineries to expand their production, reduce our dependency on foreign oil and grow jobs in Skagit and Whatcom Counties."

John Koster encourages Washington State citizens to call, write and email their legislators and the Governor to urge them to defeat SB 6851/HB 3181.

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For more information about the Koster for Congress campaign, please visit the campaign's website at www.kosterforcongress.com or call the campaign team at 360-631-6055 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it