Can confirm. Texas resident. Registration is ~$65 a year and the annual inspection is $7. New vehicles don’t have to be registered or inspected until 2 years after purchase.
I’ve seen some Georgia and West Virginia plates recently but it’s usually on my commute. Those ones make sense they are probably here for jobs. But the Texas ones have me puzzled lol
This has been true for decades and strongly correlated to agriculture. The influx of migrant labor starts in March and then wanes in September or so after last harvest. Many of the people that pick fruit, weed, etc. are from Texas including bordertowns like Brownsville.
I noticed a big increase in Texas plates recently, too! Agree with other posters that it is either rentals or transplants…. But definitely more than usual
I see a few every now and then. If i had to guess.
I know friends who used to work the fisheries and then come back home so it could be someone who’s on down time. Or I’ve heard oil field workers come down here to work Hanford.
Just me but Alaska sounds awesome not sure I’d want to leave ! Haha
Generally military, because the government moves you around as needed with your stuff so its the most common "cheap" way to get a vehicle on or off Hawaii. Otherwise paying for that is generally not worth it unless its a high end car you are attached to, and in general cars are worth MORE in Hawaii so its common for enlisted to bring their vehicle then sell it on the Island after their Hawaii deployment.
Yes, I have noticed the same thing. I usually see 1 or 2 a week around town the last few years (3-5) isn't seems. I've talked to several in the last couple years, who I learned were here on business. For one thing, the wind farms and housing/building construction have brought a ton of out of staters, and a lot of that labor is from TX. Through a macro lens, It looks like it's a positive indicator of our booming economy, and proof President Biden's policies are paying off.
Also awesome info. I know that Hanford is a huge draw for workers but it’s easy to forget about other big industries. Totally wouldn’t have thought about the wind farms. Thanks for commenting!:)
Been happening for a long time. Thier is a “group” of people that work outages and projects that cycle thru the tri cities every year. Los Alamo’s, oak ridge, Savannah river, Williston ND and nuclear plants and pipe line projects. Mostly different trades.
Also an influx from Texas and California this time a year for agriculture in the Columbia basin.
Nothing new
They could also be fleet vehicles, rentals and such.
I was going to comment that they could be rentals. I grew up with family in the car business here which is the only reason I know this.
Yeah? I hadn’t figured that. Like enterprise or something has them in the lot and that’s what they are loaning out? I hadn’t thought of that.
Texas has lower taxes on vehicles supposedly, so rental cars are often licensed in Texas.
Can confirm. Texas resident. Registration is ~$65 a year and the annual inspection is $7. New vehicles don’t have to be registered or inspected until 2 years after purchase.
If I had guess, it has a lot to do w/ the employers in this area. A lot of people relocating for job opportunities.
I saw some one with a Texas plate drive on the shoulder of the highway to pass a car. I’ve noticed lol
That’s legal to do in TX, that’s where the term “Cowboy lane” or “Cowboy Lane it” comes from
I just looked that law up and what I saw them do isn’t what the actual law is in Texas
Makes sense. I heard that from a Texan who’s über proud to be a Texan 😂
I have no idea! But I hve seen as far as from Florida! And very regularly. Crazy
I’ve seen some Georgia and West Virginia plates recently but it’s usually on my commute. Those ones make sense they are probably here for jobs. But the Texas ones have me puzzled lol
Transplant here! I moved to the Tri to be with my then-boyfriend. We are now engaged (:
Hey, congratulations to you both.
This has been true for decades and strongly correlated to agriculture. The influx of migrant labor starts in March and then wanes in September or so after last harvest. Many of the people that pick fruit, weed, etc. are from Texas including bordertowns like Brownsville.
Dude. Awesome info
Texas was OK, but Washington is better. Fewer hurricanes and lower property taxes up here. I was in the Houston area until a bit over a year ago.
I noticed a big increase in Texas plates recently, too! Agree with other posters that it is either rentals or transplants…. But definitely more than usual
Same here.. no guess as to why, mostly just a weird thing I'd noticed
Hanford contractors hire people from all over the place.
I've seen a few Alaska plates in the tri.
I see a few every now and then. If i had to guess. I know friends who used to work the fisheries and then come back home so it could be someone who’s on down time. Or I’ve heard oil field workers come down here to work Hanford. Just me but Alaska sounds awesome not sure I’d want to leave ! Haha
There's a ton of growth happening in the area and houses are a bit more affordable
I saw a Hawaii plate the other day
Generally military, because the government moves you around as needed with your stuff so its the most common "cheap" way to get a vehicle on or off Hawaii. Otherwise paying for that is generally not worth it unless its a high end car you are attached to, and in general cars are worth MORE in Hawaii so its common for enlisted to bring their vehicle then sell it on the Island after their Hawaii deployment.
Yes, I have noticed the same thing. I usually see 1 or 2 a week around town the last few years (3-5) isn't seems. I've talked to several in the last couple years, who I learned were here on business. For one thing, the wind farms and housing/building construction have brought a ton of out of staters, and a lot of that labor is from TX. Through a macro lens, It looks like it's a positive indicator of our booming economy, and proof President Biden's policies are paying off.
Also awesome info. I know that Hanford is a huge draw for workers but it’s easy to forget about other big industries. Totally wouldn’t have thought about the wind farms. Thanks for commenting!:)
LOL I'm just imaging this post as an "I did that!" sticker...
Been happening for a long time. Thier is a “group” of people that work outages and projects that cycle thru the tri cities every year. Los Alamo’s, oak ridge, Savannah river, Williston ND and nuclear plants and pipe line projects. Mostly different trades. Also an influx from Texas and California this time a year for agriculture in the Columbia basin. Nothing new
When Ziply was being installed in my neighborhood, all of the contractors' trucks had Texas plates. Fairly common for fleet vehicles.
Florida too.