Attempts to get Sound Transit to fall under the control of a regional transportation agency fell flat last year, so transportation leaders in Olympia are taking a different approach this year.
New legislation introduced by Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen today would put Sound Transit in charge of just such a regional transportation agency. Haugen, a Democrat from Camano Island, is the chairwoman of the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.
She’s determined to unify regional transportation planning under one roof so the “big picture plan” isn’t lost as different agencies compete to “get theirs.”
If she’s successful, that means Sound Transit will build transit and roads.
To add accountability, Haugen also suggests that some Sound Transit board members be elected. As it stands now, the county executive from each county sits on the board and appoints at least two other board members.
Haugen also introduced a bill to formally disband the Regional Transportation Investment District, part of Proposition 1, the Road and Transit tax package that failed at the polls in November.
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