OLYMPIA – Lawmakers in the House passed a reform bill this week that would require Washington State Ferries to meet a series of performance measures. The legislation aims to draw clear expectations for ferry system management, which if not met, would allow ferry management to be bid out to the private sector.
Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, applauded the efforts to improve the ferry system, but voted against the bill because it doesn’t take immediate action, or go far enough.
“This reform bill keeps the heat up on the ferry system’s management to get serious about problems and inefficiencies,” Seaquist said. “However, the state should be stepping in now to overhaul management, so we can stop the flow of waste and get those resources back into service.”
The ferry reform proposal, House Bill 1516, introduced by Rep. Jeff Morris, sets in place performance measures that the ferry system would have to meet 75 percent or more of. If the ferry system doesn’t meet or exceed 75 percent of the performance criteria, then contracting out ferry management would be allowed.
In order to prevent potential abuse, part of the bill would also prevent a manager from belonging to the same workers union the people they supervise belong to.
“While Washington State Ferries management has problems, the workers on the ground and on the boats continue to work hard keeping our system running and safe,” Seaquist said. “When we get the ferry system’s headquarters in order, our workers will finally have a climate to excel in delivering great service to our communities.
Not included in the bill is a measure Seaquist had proposed, starting a three-member committee to take over ferry system management, in order to revamp headquarters and prepare it for new leadership. Accountability, or lack of it, is Seaquist’s major concern of what’s missing from House Bill 1516.
“Our voters and taxpayers will not trust the ferry system with the money it needs until it is crystal clear that they’ve learned from their mistakes – permanently,” Seaquist said. “We need a thorough accounting of previous actions that have put us in this mess, and real accountability for the future.”
House Bill 1516 now goes to the Senate for further consideration.