EVERETT — Few Snohomish County voters will be swayed on the roads and light rail tax measure just because the governor backs it and King County’s executive does not, two political leaders said Monday.
“It won’t affect the outcome in Snohomish County at all,” said County Executive Aaron Reardon, a leading proponent of Proposition 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Democratic King County Executive Ron Sims announced last week his opposition to the $17.8 billion proposal pushed by Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District. The measure is only on ballots in Snohomish, King and Pierce counties.
Republican County Councilman John Koster, a critic of the multibillion-dollar proposal, said Sims’ decision surprised him.
“Ron Sims and I actually agree on something. How’s that for you,” said Koster, referring to Sims’ liberal Democratic politics and his own conservative views.
He said it will carry more weight with the electorate in Sims’ home county rather than Snohomish County.
“I think Ron being where he is politically it casts some shadow of doubt for those ready to pull the lever for it. They might want to say, ‘Hey, I thought Ron Sims loved every tax he saw,’ ” Koster said.
Sims has said he opposes the measure because it costs too much and delivers too little in terms of easing congesting and curbing climate-changing emissions.
His vocal opposition caught supporters off guard since Sims has long backed light rail and had been involved in developing this specific measure.
On Monday, Gov. Chris Gregoire, a strong supporter of the measure, told reporters she was “surprised” by Sims’ opposition.
She also acknowledged a complaint of his and other critics’ that the plan put forth “isn’t perfect.” She said it will make a vital investment in safety, provide a bit of commute relief and ensure economic growth in the three-county region is not choked off.
“If I could vote for it, I would vote yes,” she said.
How many votes that translates into “depends on how hard she campaigns for it,” Reardon said.
Supporters of the measure are more focused on informing voters that passing the measure will bring a slew of improvements paid for with revenues raised in the communities, he said.
“We have a very good project list,” he said.
Proposition 1 calls for $7 billion in spending on roads and highways in the three-county region with $1.5 billion earmarked for Snohomish County projects. These are calculations in 2006 dollars; actual expenditures will be higher due to inflation and financing costs.
It also would generate $10.8 billion for Sound Transit to expand light rail throughout the region, with $1.45 billion earmarked for extending service to south Everett.
To pay for the work, sales and motor vehicle excise taxes would rise within the boundaries of Sound Transit and the Regional Transportation Investment District.
The proposed taxes would add 6 cents to a $10 purchase, and $80 to license tabs for every $10,000 of a car’s value. In other words, a $20,000 vehicle would carry a $160 Roads and Transit tab increase.
Koster can’t vote on the measure because he lives outside the boundaries of the two transportation districts.
“People need to consider what they’re getting for their money and moreso what they’re not getting for their money,” he said.
“Regardless of who endorses it or doesn’t endorse it, they need to make the decision with their eyes wide open.”
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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