It's high time we do what Governor Locke says

"Hold us accountable" Governor Gary Locke, State-of-the-State Address

Good transportation policy is moving slower than our congested traffic. Why? Because there is no accountability.

Sound Transit, the regional agency charged with building a light rail system for central Puget Sound, is a clear example of what can happen when no one holds an agency accountable for its actions.

Sound Transit has been roundly criticized by former governors, state and local officials, and citizens for being inefficient, unaccountable, and too expensive. Now the federal government has weighed in and underscored the agency's problems. The federal government has even withheld money from the project until it gets its house in order. Recent quotes highlight light-rail's problems:

"[The rail line to the University District] is currently the most expensive transit project in the United States... Sound Transit estimates that [the U-District line] will cost $2.6 billion (about $1 billion more than the original baseline estimate of $1.674 billion)." - U.S. DOT Inspector General's Report (4/4/01)

"Is there any event or combination of facts, any misgivings about costs, funding, ridership, or concerns over the inspector general's criticisms, anything at all that would finally cause the Sound Transit board to ask, Is proceeding with light rail still a good idea?"

"Sound Transit board members resolutely keep their heads buried in the sand, allowing staff to go forward with the light-rail plan without any such fundamental re-examination." - Former governor Booth Gardner (Seattle Times, 4/11/01)

"Wilson's high salary - he's paid $200 an hour - has not hurt Sound Transit's administrative budget... the agency has about 50 to 60 vacancies that provide a cushion." - Sound Transit Acting Executive Director Joni Earl (Seattle Times, 4/7/01)

"That's true, but Sounder has enough money to spare to finish Tacoma-Seattle." - Sound Transit spokesman Clarence Moriwaki responding to the 22% ($198 million) increase in the Sounder commuter train costs.

What was it Governor Locke said in his State-of-the-State Address? "Hold us accountable"...? As you can see, no one is being held accountable for the increased costs of the light-rail project.

It's time for lawmakers to pull the plug on Sound Transit. It is a boondoggle that has siphoned money away from meaningful congestion relief. Taxpayers can't afford to keep paying for out-of-control bureaucracy.

Prepared by Bob Williams, Senior Research Analyst, (360) 956-3482 or effwa@effwa.org

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org