In 2008 voters overwhelmingly rejected the last commission sponsored wheel tax by more than an 80% margin. Also in that same year voters again overwhelmingly rejected another commission sponsored tax increase. This one was a half cent sales tax increase in February of 2008. That measure was defeated by more than a 60% margin. Of course both tax increase measures were proposed for education. 

Below is a precinct by precinct report showing the percent of voters who voted against the 2008 wheel tax.

Several explanations have been offered why the wheel tax was so utterly defeated in 2008.  Some said it was because the tax was $50, some say it showed that county voters didn't want to support education. I disagree with both explanations. The simple answer for the tax hike failures was that voters have had enough of tax and spend and had no confidence in or intentions to give commission any more of they hard earned money in higher taxes.

Less than two years ago, voters in Mr. Gardin's district rejected the wheel tax by 87%. Seems like whether it's Washington officials or our local officials, they just refuse to listen to the voters and are intent on taking more and more from the tax payers.