Fuel tax burden rated low for Whitman County

Although gas prices have dropped, the gas tax has increased by seven cents per gallon.

With a recent decline in prices at the pump, it may have been difficult to notice how the state's higher gas tax is affecting drivers, but a recent study released Tuesday may have made it easier.

The gas tax, approved in the extended legislative session in July, increased the tax by seven cents per gallon Aug. 1, upping the tax for Washington drivers to 62.9 cents–44.5 cents for the Washington tax and 18.4 cents for the federal gas tax. An additional 4.9 cents will be tacked onto the tax next summer as well....