A column in two takes.
Take 1: Sound Transit power play
It’s been tough enough for Sound Transit board members to cobble together ST3, a ballot measure seeking $15 billion for the next phase of expansion.
Now a few of their longstanding critics want state lawmakers to replace them next year by changing how their seats are filled.
The Sound Transit board is made up of 17 local elected officials — 10 from King County, four from Pierce County and three from Snohomish County. The executive in each county makes the appointments. Secretary of Transportation Lynn Peterson is a nonvoting member as well.
Bills introduced in the Senate and House would create a panel of 19 people with each one elected from a separate district. It would result in 12 members from King County, four from Pierce County and three from Snohomish County.
Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, and Rep. Mark Harmsworth, R-Mill Creek, authored the legislation.
At a hearing Tuesday, supporters told the Senate Transportation Committee that directly electing board members would give voice to a greater number of Sound Transit taxpayers and increase accountability of the agency’s day-to-day operations.
Speakers expressed frustration with Sound Transit’s “Seattle-centric” policies and the ability of one person, King County Executive Dow Constantine, to appoint a near super-majority of the board. Among those testifying were Kemper Development Co. exec Bruce Nurse and Bellevue Councilman Kevin Wallace, who said he was speaking only for himself.
Opponents countered that board members are elected and thus already accountable to voters. And, they said, the current approach forces the region’s cities, counties and transit agencies to work together on expansion — even more than would occur with the proposed change.
“Balkanizing the system is not an answer to building a regional system,” said Everett City Councilman Paul Roberts, who is the board’s vice chairman.
On Monday, the Snohomish County Council voted to oppose the bill though some want to revisit the idea after the vote on the ST3 ballot measure.
“I don’t know if this is the right bill or not, but I think we need to take a serious look at how that board is constructed,” said Councilman Ken Klein.
“Snohomish County and Pierce County are at a disadvantage on this board with King County holding the majority of the seats,” he said. “I think that is actually going to be hurtful to our position with the ballot measure.”
Take 2: Lovick returns
When voters ousted John Lovick as Snohomish County executive three months ago, it marked his first loss in 13 elections.
As much as it hurt, he said no one should write his political obituary quite yet.
That’s because he’s not done.
Lovick announced Monday he’s running for the state legislative seat occupied by his friend and fellow Democrat, Rep. Hans Dunshee of Snohomish. If successful, Lovick would return to Olympia where he served as a lawmaker from 1999-2007.
“I’m just really itching to get back in the game,” Lovick said Tuesday. “You lose elections. I lost the last one. That’s the way it is.”
But the seat’s not vacant, at least not yet.
Dunshee is pursuing an appointment to the Snohomish County Council and if appointed, is expected to give up his seat in the 44th Legislative District. Lovick expressed absolute confidence it will play out that way.
Meanwhile, Republican Party leaders say they can win the seat in 2016 and the odds improve if no incumbent is competing. There’s no GOP candidate yet.
Marysville City Councilman Rob Toyer, who lost narrowly to Dunshee in 2014, might try again. Others considering a run are said to be waiting until it’s clearer who the Democratic candidate is going to be.
Herald writer Noah Haglund contributed to this report.
Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos.
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