Heraldnet.com
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009 8:34 am
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Herald Editorial Board

Bob Bolerjack,
Opinion Editor
bolerjack@heraldnet.com

Carol MacPherson,
Editorial Writer
cmacpherson@
heraldnet.com


Allen Funk,
Herald Publisher
funk@heraldnet.com

Kim Heltne,
Assistant to the Publisher
heltne@heraldnet.com

Send letters to the editor by e-mail to letters@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-339-3458 or mail to The Herald - Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.

 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Saturday
Two dead, two injured in Lynnwood car wreck
Accident near Poulsbo kills Marysville man, inj...
Icy conditions lead to numerous wrecks on count...
Friday


Salish Sea: Huge body of water now has common n...
Cost of dispute falls on Monroe
Lawsuit blames county and weed inspector in man...
Thursday


Nursed to health by volunteers in Lynnwood, sea...
Everett boy left with brain damage; father face...
Monroe must fill $290,000 gap in budget
Wednesday


81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored...
USO singer's voice still charms them in Edmonds
Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme C...
Tuesday


Fire destroys Emory's restaurant
Peggy Pritchard Olson always put Edmonds first
Camano Island burglaries spike: Is Colton back?
Monday


Tree clearing, mud slide angers Everett neighbor
Later start for school day unlikely in Marysville
Hopes for Snohomish excursion train may hinge o...
Sunday


Glacier Peak freshman overcomes jitters to win ...
Gay marriage issue can wait, say Referendum 71 ...
Cities across south Snohomish County see tax re...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Editorials   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
HAVE YOUR SAY
Feel strongly about something? Share it with the community by writing a letter to the editor.
You’ll need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) We reserve the right to edit letters, but if you keep yours to 250 words or less, we won’t ask you to shorten it. If your letter is published, please wait 30 days before submitting another.
Send it to:
E-mail: letters@heraldnet.com
Mail: Letters section
The Herald
P.O. Box 930
Everett, WA 98206
Fax: 425-339-3458
Have a question about letters? Contact Carol MacPherson (cmacpherson@heraldnet.com or 425-339-3472).
 
Published: Thursday, April 17, 2008

Rossi raises key issue: How do we fund roads?

Can Dino Rossi's freshly unveiled transportation plan solve our traffic mess? Doubtful. Many of the cost figures cited in it appear to be based more on wishful thinking than thoughtful analysis.

The latter, by independent sources, is needed to provide some clarification in the coming weeks. For instance: How can an eight-lane Highway 520 bridge be built for less money than a six-lane version proposed by Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire, who Republican Rossi is campaigning to unseat?

That said, we welcome the debate Rossi's proposals are clearly designed to generate. This gubernatorial election should be a vehicle for a broad discussion about what our state's priorities are and how we should pay for them. On that score, Rossi's plan provides a good starting point.

Transportation is an unending source of frustration for most Puget Sound residents and businesses. It was largely neglected as the population grew in the 1990s. Recent increases in the gasoline tax only scratch the surface of what's needed, and that revenue source is expected to dwindle as cars become more fuel-efficient. Tolls are likely a partial (and controversial) solution, but where will the rest of the needed billions come from?

Mostly out of existing revenue, under Rossi's plan. He would dedicate 40 percent of taxes on the sale of new and used vehicles to road projects, diverting money that now goes into the state general fund and creating a logical link between transportation-related taxes and transportation projects. Critics say that will gut education and health-care funding. Rossi responds that historical revenue growth would be enough to cover losses to the general fund.

Rossi would also save money by waiving the sales tax on road construction projects. Indeed, it makes little sense for the state to tax itself, raising project costs in the process.

For a broad debate over transportation funding to be meaningful, though, credible (and fairly quick) research is needed on Rossi's figures. His $15 billion plan promises a lot -- widening Highway 9 into a viable, five-lane alternative to I-5, a whopping $600 million in safety improvements and congestion relief for long-neglected U.S. 2, a tunnel to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct -- without proposing much in the way of sacrifice. The no-free-lunch maxim belies that. Call us skeptical.

Much of Rossi's proposal may be pie in the sky. But if it sparks a robust discussion of revenue sources and spending priorities, and ideas for getting much-needed transportation projects on a faster track, it will have served a useful purpose.

1. Lake Stevens neighbors protest loss of left turn off Highway 9
2. Police look into fire at Emory's restaurant in Everett
3. Man who died from fall identified
4. Mural memorializing fallen soldier lost in effort to fix Silvana building
5. Marysville-Pilchuck comes up short in battle of unbeatens
6. 'Twilight' tourism
7. Accident near Poulsbo kills Marysville man, injures five
8. In Forks, it's always Twilight
9. Expect wintry roads at passes, dusting of snow on Snohomish County hills
10. Icy conditions lead to numerous wrecks on county roads
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Memorial for Peggy Pritchard Olson set
Bazaar Fever
Hawks proud of historic season
Olson always put Edmonds first
Honoring student veterans
‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop
Mavs build early lead en route to easy win
Prep football games of the week (state playoffs)
Tears of laughter, tears of grief
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

$2 OFF
at Box Office

Buffet Dining
Tulalip Resort

Island Flavors with
Finest NW Ingredients

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

Family Night Free Sundae
$9.99 Prime Rib

Free Garlic Bread/Free Soda
Click here for details!

50% off 2nd Pizza
Special Click Here!

$5 OFF
Lunch or Dinner

Great Food
24 Hours a Day

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

Free Dessert!
Click here!

QuadraFire Save $250
Free Smart-Stat

FREE Appetizer w/
purchase of 2 entrees

Come and Relax
Monthly Specials

15% Off Your
First Time Purchase

20% off Click Here*
Buy 1 Offer Click Here*

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!

All you can Eat Buffets
Angel of the Winds

Pacific Northwest
Fresh Cuisine

$5 Off
Stylecut

$1 off French Dip
$4.99 Burger Basket

FREE Appetizer with any
purchase daily 2-6pm
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT