Contact: Carl Gipson, Deputy Communications Director
(360) 956-3482

Transportation Pajama Party
Details of the three transportation plans to date

Governor Locke and several state lawmakers worked feverishly into the night last Tuesday in an attempt to hammer out details in a transportation improvement package. Locke passed out pajamas at the meeting, but had little information to pass out at his morning press conference. Both sides claimed to be getting close to a compromise, with disagreements hinging on about $100 million.

The new transportation plan will likely be a mix of three current proposals from House Democrats, Senate Republicans and the governor. Each relies on a ten-year plan to raise funds through a gas tax increase and other fees and surcharges.

Any compromise should heed the message sent by Referendum 51's fiery demise. R-51 lacked appropriate accountability measures, did not prioritize projects, and did not provide the means to complete many of its projects.

So, will legislators come up with a meaningful and accountable transportation package, or will they gamble on the hope that voters have short-term memory and pass a "Referendum 51-lite?"

Questions to be answered by a new proposal:
1. Is measurable congestion relief the priority when selecting projects?

2. Will independent performance audits be applied to selected projects so taxpayers know they are receiving the best possible value for the money spent?

Currently, none of the three proposals detailed below can answer "yes" to both questions.

Other considerations:
Plans submitted by the governor and the House Democrats contain an emergency clause, meaning the tax and fee increases can go into effect immediately and no referendum effort could be mounted to overturn the lawmakers' decision.

None of the proposals currently allow for independent, comprehensive performance audits.

The gross weight surcharge will mostly be felt by businesses—the very entity that can least afford another economic hit.

A Nutshell Overview

House Democrats' transportation plan @ $2.6 billion

• gas tax increase = three cents
• gross weight fee increase for trucks = 15%
• increase in sales tax on new and used cars = 0.06%

This package is the most generous to non-road related projects:

• $2 billion for highways/auto ferries
• $360 million for public transit
• $257 million for passenger/freight rail

Governor Locke's transportation plan @ $3.2 billion

• gas tax increase = four cents
• gross weight fee increase for trucks over 10,000 lbs. = 15%
• gross weight fee increase for motorhomes = 15%
• title transaction tax = 0.05%

This package is more modestly split between roads and public transit:

• $2.355 billion to highways/local roads
• $297 million to state ferry system
• $275 million to passenger/freight rail capital projects
• $242 public for public transportation programs and grants

Senate Republicans' transportation plan @ $4.1 billion

• gas tax increase = five cents
• gross weight fee increase for trucks = 15% (motor homes are also included)
• sales tax increase on motor vehicles, excluding off-road vehicles = 0.3%

This package is the most generous to road-related projects:

• $2.266 billion for King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties
• $1.175 billion for roadways outside those three counties
• $298 million for the state ferry system
• $218 million for passenger/freight rail capital projects

  
  

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