OLYMPIA—The Washington state House and Senate have passed transportation budgets and will negotiate a final proposal that will be delivered to Governor Bob Ferguson in April.
Despite a budget deficit, lawmakers were able to make investments in priority areas like ferries, public transportation, and safety improvements.
“Our budget writers had a lot of tough choices to make this year,” said Rep. Greg Nance (D-Kitsap). “I’m grateful for colleagues coming together to support ferry funding and transportation infrastructure for Kitsap.”
Some of the proposed investments for Kitsap in the House budget include:
- Ferries – $1.9 billion for vessel construction and maintenance and staff recruitment & training along with funding for Kitsap Transit Fast Ferries.
- Public Transportation – $686 million for public transit improvements statewide including free rides for youth on buses, ferries, and light rail.
- Freight Corridor – $61 million for SR 3 Freight Corridor Improvements to speed up commute times and boost local supply chains.
- Infrastructure – $28 million for Kitsap infrastructure upgrades including Silverdale Transfer Station and Park & Rides on SR 305 and SR 16.
- Pedestrian & Bike Access – $25 million for Warren Avenue Bridge to modernize vital transit links and build safe bike lanes and continuous sidewalks along SR 303.
Nance has been an advocate for restoring reliable ferry service during his legislative tenure, and introduced the Mosquito Fleet Act (HB 1923) this year to allow local jurisdictions to procure and operate passenger-only fast ferries as a way to increase transportation connections around Puget Sound.
“The House passed the Mosquito Fleet Act with a vote of 87-8,” said Nance. “Folks across Kitsap and around Puget Sound can’t keep waiting for big new boats to get built, and they’ve enthusiastically voiced their support for this legislation.”
HB 1923 was heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on March 17 but has yet to be scheduled for an executive session. The fiscal cutoff for bills from the opposite house of origin is Tuesday, April 8.