Remote Surveillance Trailer in Olympia, WA

Cheapest gas stations in Olympia

Anyone who drives a car understands the sting of having to fill up their tank and pulling into the gas station, only to discover that gas prices have skyrocketed. Paying extra for gas means you have less to spend on other things, which, over time, can really put a crimp in your budget.

Cheap Insurance explored some of the reasons behind major changes in gas prices, and compiled a list of the cheapest gas stations in Olympia using data from Gas Buddy.

Gas prices fluctuate based on several factors, including the cost of the key ingredient, crude oil, as well as the available supply and demand for gasoline. If the price of oil rises, a major refinery goes offline, or more drivers are hitting the road, for example, then the cost will increase.

In the first half of 2022, a unique confluence of events led to a surge in gas prices. The increased demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and a slowdown in oil production all contributed to a national all-time high of $4.93 per gallon on average in June 2022.

Seasons also affect gas prices. Demand tends to drop in winter, but the cost also falls because gas stations switch to a different blend of gasoline that's optimal for lower temperatures—and has cheaper ingredients.

Location also matters. The South and Midwest tend to have the lowest gas prices, while the West, including Hawai'i, has the highest. Californians, in particular, pay more for gas on average than any other state. That's because of its high state excise taxes; its isolation from the country's major pipelines, which causes supply issues; and its requirements that mandate a more environmentally friendly blend of gas that costs more to produce and adds to the price per gallon.

No matter where you live, read on to see if you can get a deal on gas near you.

#1. Shop n SAVE Market Fresh Gas S- Address: 500 Sussex Ave E, Tenino, WA- Price: $4.15

#1. Short Stop (tie)- Address: 319 Wichman St S, Tenino, WA- Price: $4.15

#3. Tenino Market Fresh- Address: 500 Lincoln Ave E, Tenino, WA- Price: $4.19

#4. Steamboat Trading Post- Address: 6610 Sexton Dr NW, Olympia, WA- Price: $4.27

#4. Tumwater Trading Post (tie)- Address: 7000 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater, WA- Price: $4.27

#6. Pilot- Address: 2430 93rd Ave SW, Tumwater, WA- Price: $4.29

#6. Flying J (tie)- Address: 2725 93rd Ave SW, Tumwater, WA- Price: $4.29

#6. ARCO (tie)- Address: 19705 Old Hwy 99 SW, Grand Mound, WA- Price: $4.29

#6. Costco (tie)- Address: 5500 Littlerock Rd SW, Tumwater, WA- Price: $4.29

#6. ARCO (tie)- Address: 2601 Yelm Hwy SE, Olympia, WA- Price: $4.29

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The Washington State legislature is expected to pass a millionaire income tax this week. The bill is written so it cannot go to a public vote through a referendum. That door is already closed.

But think about what comes next. Next session, what if there’s another budget shortfall? They lower the threshold. Instead of a million dollars, maybe it’s $500,000. Then $250,000. Then $100,000. Each time, no vote. Each time, they include language at the end of the bill, making it so there’s no referendum. You just have to live with it.

So what’s left? The initiative process. Regular people gathering signatures, putting something on the ballot, letting voters weigh in.

That’s the last door open.

Now meet Senate Bill 6358.

SB 6358 would dissolve any business that spends money opposing a ballot measure

Introduced this week by Senator Bob Hasegawa of Tukwila, the Senate Majority Caucus Chair, the bill would strip any corporation, LLC, or nonprofit of its legal existence for spending money to oppose a ballot measure. Not a fine. Your business is gone. Owners are on the hook personally for every debt.

It would cover businesses large and small. Chambers of commerce. Trade associations. Any group that wanted to fund a campaign against a future income tax expansion. Gone, if they speak up.

There is one exception. Labor unions are exempt. Unions can keep spending freely on campaigns and elections. Everyone else risks losing everything.

Senator Hasegawa introduced this bill with four days left in the session. No committee hearing. No path to passage. Under the state constitution, it cannot even move forward this year.

So why now?

The income tax debate is happening right now, this week. Any business or trade group thinking about funding an initiative campaign to fight back is paying close attention to everything coming out of Olympia. And into that moment, a member of Democratic leadership drops a bill that would dissolve organizations that do exactly that.

That’s how a chilling effect works. You don’t have to pass the bill.

Senator Hasegawa provided a statement to KIRO Newsradio defending the bill. He said it won’t progress this session and was introduced to start a conversation about outside spending in elections, pointing to similar ideas being discussed in Montana and California. He cited the explosion of independent expenditures from $144 million in 2008 to $4.21 billion in 2024. “My intent is to shift power back to people, not corporations, in political campaigns,” he wrote.

That’s a real issue, and those numbers are really concerning. Outside money in American elections has gotten out of hand, and most people across the political spectrum would agree with that.

But his bill exempts unions. So this has nothing to do with getting money out of politics broadly. His bill targets corporate spending while leaving union spending untouched. Senator Hasegawa spent 32 years as a Teamsters leader. The exemption for labor seems intentional.

Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen also responded to KIRO Newsradio. He said he cannot speak to why Hasegawa introduced the bill, confirmed it is constitutionally dead this session, and then said something worth noting.

“I fully expect that opponents will use the initiative process to challenge the enactment of the Millionaires Tax,” Pedersen wrote. “I welcome the public conversation about our state’s tax structure and the chance for a strong defense of the legislature’s work on this issue.”

That’s a confident posture. Democrats are not worried about an initiative fight. They think they can win it. After spending tens of millions to defeat Initiative 2117 last year, the measure that would have repealed the Climate Commitment Act, they probably have reason to feel that way.

Which makes the timing of Hasegawa’s bill even more worth asking about. If leadership is confident they can win an initiative fight, why does a member of that same leadership introduce a bill that would dissolve the organizations most likely to fund one?

One thing worth thinking about this morning: what happens if and when Washington takes a more conservative turn? What if a future legislature uses this exact same logic against groups spending money to protect transgender rights, or reproductive rights, or any progressive cause? Same bill. Same threat. Just pointed the other direction.

Laws don’t only apply to the people you agree with today.

Senator Hasegawa spent 32 years as a Teamsters leader. His bill exempts unions. He says he wants to get money out of politics.

He just doesn’t seem to mean all of it.

Charlie Harger is the host of on KIRO Newsradio. You can read more of his stories and commentaries . Follow Charlie and email him .

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington lawmakers worked into Tuesday morning after an overnight session in Olympia, still debating the so-called millionaires tax as the legislative session nears its scheduled end Thursday.

Republicans continued pushing amendments as the proposal inched closer to a possible vote. Lawmakers at the Capitol debated the bill for hours, with both sides trying to shape the final version.

The proposal would create a new income tax on the state’s highest earners. Under the plan, people making more than $1 million a year would pay a 9.9% tax on income above that threshold starting in 2029. Supporters, including Gov. Bob Ferguson, say the revenue would help fund programs for families and small business owners. If approved, the first payments would begin in 2029.

One amendment proposed Tuesday would allow a taxpayer to claim a charitable deduction equal to the amount claimed for federal income tax purposes.

“We don't want to encourage our charitable giving. This amendment squares or allows us to give more than what's in the underlying bill,” Rep. Stephanie Barnard, R-Pasco, said.

“I noticed recently the rules of fed charitable deductions change every year..keep it the way it is and say no to this,” Rep. Sharon Wylie, D-Vancouver, said.

Critics argue the measure violates the state constitution and warn it could eventually expand to other income levels. Opponents also say the tax could be headed to court if it is approved, potentially setting up a state Supreme Court showdown.

Former Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna said Washington’s constitution legally considers income to be property, based on a broad definition adopted in the 1930s and repeatedly upheld by the state Supreme Court.

“They are, apparently are going to pass it without bothering to amend the Constitution. Presumably, they're hoping the state Supreme Court will effectively amend the Constitution by deciding that income is not part of property. I don't think they will,” McKenna said.

McKenna also said Washington voters have consistently rejected constitutional amendments 10 times excluding income from property.

If the House approves the amended bill, it would head back to the Senate for another vote on the changes. If senators sign off, it would go to Ferguson, who has said he plans to sign it. Opponents say they would file a citizen initiative to try to repeal the tax.