WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Hearing on Transportation Revenue Package Draws Big Crowd

A hearing on the Senate’s transportation revenue package yesterday brought more than 100 people to the House Transportation Committee. The three hour public comment heard near unanimous support new revenue – with a few changes.

“What we heard today is a strong desire for new investments in our transportation system, but not necessarily the way they are laid out in the revenue package before us,” said Transportation Chair Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island). “While we agree on more than we disagree at this point, I think there are still some legitimate concerns with this proposal.”

The testimony on specific infrastructure projects was overwhelming positive. In expressing support, many noted the dramatic increase in traffic congestion over the past few years.

“I grew up in Mexico City, at the time the largest city in the world. I feel like I have spent my whole life stuck in traffic. I feel the same way now,” said Renton City Councilmember Ruth Perez.

Even among supporters however, a number of those who came before the committee voiced concerns about the level of funding Sound Transit would be authorized to seek from the voters.

“My request is pretty simple. When you get off the plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, you can take the light rail to Seattle. You should also be able to take it to Tacoma. We need the full $15 billion authority for Sound Transit so the voters can decide on that investment,” said Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland, echoing more than a dozen other local elected officials.

“Ridership on public transportation is very high among immigrants and refugees, but the affordability crisis in our urban centers continues to push people of color and low-income communities to the suburbs,” said Ellicott Dandy from immigrants’ rights organization OneAmerica. “We ought to anticipate and accommodate the increased need for reliable, efficient, and sustainable mass transit.”

Others criticized transferring money away from environmental cleanup and the ‘poison pill’ preventing the Department of Ecology from enacting low-carbon fuel standards.

“We cannot accept a 16 year poison pill that prevents the Governor from taking action to combat global climate change,” said Joe Kendo from the Washington State Labor Council.

Clibborn expects the bill to be moved out of committee in the next few weeks after legislators have time to weigh the public testimony and develop amendments.