OLYMPIA — House Democrats released a $15.5 billion transportation package Monday that would raise the gas tax and spend those dollars much like the plan passed by the Republican-controlled Senate in March.
The House proposal, like the Senate’s $15.1 billion plan, calls for an 11.7-cent gas tax increase and increased license-plate fees while rejecting Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee’s idea of imposing a new fee on carbon emissions to pay for road improvements.
Both legislative proposals span 16 years, but the House blueprint outlines more spending than the Senate on highway projects, maintenance of existing roads and Washington State Ferries.
There are two areas in which the plans sharply diverge: House Democrats reject several reforms pushed by Senate Republicans, and they don’t pour as many dollars into projects in Snohomish County.
The House Transportation Committee is scheduled to vote on the proposal Tuesday night. Negotiations will then begin on a compromise plan, though it’s uncertain if the two chambers can reconcile their differences before the scheduled end of legislative session April 26.
“It doesn’t take months to negotiate,” said Rep. Judy Clibborn, D-Mercer Island, chairwoman of the committee. “We have time to get this done.”
If they don’t reach a deal, the issue is important enough that lawmakers should go into special session to complete the task, she said.
Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, said he needed to study the plan.
“I look forward to the opportunity to try and negotiate a transportation revenue package that we all can vote for,” he said.
The House proposal allocates $8.3 billion for new transportation projects, $1.7 billion on maintenance and preservation, and $676 million for the ferry system, of which a portion is to build a new 144-car ferry. There’s also $1.3 billion for public transportation.
Big chunks go to mega-projects such as completing the Highway 520 floating bridge between Seattle and the Eastside suburbs and widening I-405 from Lynnwood to Renton.
There is $335 million allotted for road, transit and ferry projects in Snohomish County, based on documents released Monday. That compares to $570 million in the Senate proposal and $82 million the governor set aside in the transportation package he put out in December.
“I have some concerns,” said Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, who serves on the House Transportation Committee. “I prefer the Senate package in terms of projects. It is much better for Snohomish County.”
The largest proposed Snohomish County expenditure, $131 million, is for building a new Highway 9 bridge over the Snohomish River. Other items in the plan include:
$44 million for a new off ramp on Highway 526 at Hardeson Road near the Boeing Co. complex.
$37 million to rebuild the interchange of I-5 and Highway 529 in Marysville.
$35 million to widen Highway 531 to four lanes near Arlington Municipal Airport.
$15 million for safety improvements on Highway 2.
$10 million for the Swift II bus rapid transit system.
$68.6 million to cover the cost of relocating the Mukilteo ferry terminal.
On the reform front, the House Democrats’ proposal rejected a provision in the Senate plan to retain sales tax paid on transportation projects for transportation uses. Today those dollars go into the general fund to pay for day-to-day operations of government.
The House plan also would not transfer money from a state toxic clean-up fund into removing fish passage barriers, as the Senate’s does.
And the House plan does not contain the Senate’s so-called “poison pill” that would shift money for public transit to road projects if the governor pursues a low-carbon-fuel standard.
Clibborn downplayed the potential chasm between the two chambers on reforms.
“I don’t think the reform bills are the big sticking point. I really don’t,” she said.
Under the House plan, the gas tax would go up by a nickel on July 1, increase another 4.2 cents next year and 2.5 more cents a year later. If approved, it would boost the state’s gas tax from 37.5 cents per gallon today to 49.2 cents in mid-2017.
Money in the Republican plan also would be generated by increasing vehicle registration fees by $15 to $35 a year, depending on the weight of a car or truck, and raise the cost of certain commercial driver’s licenses. A new $5 charge on the sale of each studded tire is proposed, as well.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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