Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012
In our view / Transportation funding
When will we get serious?
Maybe it's a nod to political reality. But the apparent unwillingness of the governor and legislative leaders to embrace a bold, long-term transportation plan suggests this state is too timid to effectively address its economic future.
Gov. Chris Gregoire last week unveiled an extremely modest 10-year plan simply to maintain existing roads, bridges and ferries, at a cost of $3.6 billion. Three-quarters of that money would come from a $1.50 fee on each barrel of oil refined in the state, an idea that's already drawn howls of protest from Republicans -- and soon, no doubt, the oil companies.
Legislative Republicans argue the fee would raise the price of gasoline at the pump, which they worry could threaten the economic recovery. Such thinking, however, ignores the certainty that inadequate transportation maintenance, let alone a lack of new projects to ease congestion and facilitate the movement of freight, is a long-term economic killer.
A top-flight task force of representatives from business, state and local government, labor and environmental interests has recommended a $21 billion package of investments over 10 years that directly addresses jobs and economic growth. Even that was trimmed down substantially from what leaders throughout the state agree is really needed.
Rather than including a specific funding plan, the Connecting Washington Task Force laid out a menu of revenue options, many of which would require either two-thirds legislative support or (more likely) the approval of voters. The governor decided against making that kind of ask this year, given that she already has proposed asking voters this spring for a three-year, half-cent increase in the sales tax to stem cuts to education, corrections and social services.
Perhaps that's prudent. The economy's footing is improving, but it's hardly solid. One tax vote will be tough. Two might well be impossible.
But the more we delay getting serious about adequately funding the highways, bridges, transit agencies and ferries that form the backbone of our economy, the more we delay our own future prosperity -- and undermine our quality of life. A robust, high-functioning transportation system is crucial to keeping Washington competitive with other states in drawing top employers, and maintaining our global edge as the nation's leading exporter.
The necessary long-term investments are substantial. Current revenue isn't nearly keeping up. Transit agencies, which depend on sales taxes for far too much of their funding, have cut service drastically, just as demand is increasing. The governor's proposal will only stem some of the bleeding.
As a state, we must engage in a pivotal discussion about our future, one that involves not just transportation, but education from preschool through college.
Will we make the investments necessary to build the future we all want, and that our children deserve? If so, when?
Gov. Chris Gregoire last week unveiled an extremely modest 10-year plan simply to maintain existing roads, bridges and ferries, at a cost of $3.6 billion. Three-quarters of that money would come from a $1.50 fee on each barrel of oil refined in the state, an idea that's already drawn howls of protest from Republicans -- and soon, no doubt, the oil companies.
Legislative Republicans argue the fee would raise the price of gasoline at the pump, which they worry could threaten the economic recovery. Such thinking, however, ignores the certainty that inadequate transportation maintenance, let alone a lack of new projects to ease congestion and facilitate the movement of freight, is a long-term economic killer.
A top-flight task force of representatives from business, state and local government, labor and environmental interests has recommended a $21 billion package of investments over 10 years that directly addresses jobs and economic growth. Even that was trimmed down substantially from what leaders throughout the state agree is really needed.
Rather than including a specific funding plan, the Connecting Washington Task Force laid out a menu of revenue options, many of which would require either two-thirds legislative support or (more likely) the approval of voters. The governor decided against making that kind of ask this year, given that she already has proposed asking voters this spring for a three-year, half-cent increase in the sales tax to stem cuts to education, corrections and social services.
Perhaps that's prudent. The economy's footing is improving, but it's hardly solid. One tax vote will be tough. Two might well be impossible.
But the more we delay getting serious about adequately funding the highways, bridges, transit agencies and ferries that form the backbone of our economy, the more we delay our own future prosperity -- and undermine our quality of life. A robust, high-functioning transportation system is crucial to keeping Washington competitive with other states in drawing top employers, and maintaining our global edge as the nation's leading exporter.
The necessary long-term investments are substantial. Current revenue isn't nearly keeping up. Transit agencies, which depend on sales taxes for far too much of their funding, have cut service drastically, just as demand is increasing. The governor's proposal will only stem some of the bleeding.
As a state, we must engage in a pivotal discussion about our future, one that involves not just transportation, but education from preschool through college.
Will we make the investments necessary to build the future we all want, and that our children deserve? If so, when?
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