By Kate Reardon
Herald Writer
Citizens worried the traffic mess in the Puget Sound area is shooing away business and could threaten family wage jobs are toying with the idea of an initiative campaign to help solve the problem.
State leaders from labor, business and environment groups have been meeting regularly on the idea. They’re focusing on regional transportation improvement districts that would allow voters to approve projects for their region.
"I think it would suffice to say labor was very, very frustrated that the Legislature was not able to pass a transportation package," said David Groves, spokesman for the Washington State Labor Council.
The hope is to create tension to force the state into action, he said.
The council supported the Legislature’s measure to increase the gas tax, which passed in the Senate but got hung up in the House, Groves said.
The Legislature adjourned in July after three special sessions and no transportation package after the House could not get enough votes to pass a nearly $9 billion, 10-year measure.
The problem is increased congestion on roads, extending commute times for motorists trying to get from point A to point B. For example, a 29-mile drive from Everett City Hall to Seattle City Hall in downtown should take about 34 minutes. But during peak times, that drive can take more than an hour.
That’s why the Washington Transportation Alliance, a statewide coalition of labor and business leaders that lobbies lawmakers for transportation improvements, could respond with the regional transportation initiative.
Some exploring the initiative idea say relief could come in the form of regional transportation improvement districts. The districts, they say, would allow voters to approve projects and funding specific to their region. Details of that idea and whether it would be an initiative to the people or Legislature are still being discussed, Groves said.
Portland, Ore., operates a similar program under a governing body called Metro.
"I want to make it clear that it’s not something that we’ve decided to do," Groves said, adding, however, that signatures would need to be collected soon for an initiative to the Legislature.
Some are worried the battle for better transportation in the Puget Sound area will turn into an urban vs. rural issue.
"The biggest concern people have is the ‘One Washington’ and that we shouldn’t be dividing Eastern and Western Washington," Groves said.
Meanwhile, Michael Vaska, a Seattle attorney who works with the Transportation Alliance, said the initiative has "clearly been discussed and is definitely on the table."
Many are waiting to see what happens in special elections this fall in Snohomish County’s 38th and 21st districts to determine whether the leadership tides will turn breaking the tie — 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans — in the House, Groves said.
Because the natural geography of the Puget Sound area presents problems for building new roads, Groves said there’s support among his group for more transit and rapid rail.
| At a glance
Citizens using the state initiative process could call for the formation of transportation improvement districts.
The districts would allow tax money to be spent on transportation projects in regions where it is raised.
A group is exploring the process as a way to ease the Puget Sound-area transportation crisis.
A board of elected commissioners would oversee regional transportation plans formed by the districts.
|
"You can’t just add lanes to I-5," he said. "Whatever we do, it’s going to take money."
Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, said he is hopeful the Legislature can put together a regional package that could go to the voters.
Negotiators will meet with Gov. Gary Locke next week to talk about a regional plan, Kastama said. A fourth special session is also a possibility.
"We are going to meet with the governor quickly here and see if we can do this in the Legislature," said Kastama, who has been a part of the transportation issues negotiating team. "I would like to solve this with a statewide package, but I’d be willing to bite the bullet with a regional plan to get things moving."
He said he understands why citizens are exploring the initiative process.
"That’s the level of frustration people feel in the Puget Sound area," he said. "The Legislature has been paranoid about making big decisions like this."
You can call Herald Writer Kate Reardon at 425-339-3455
or send e-mail to reardon@heraldnet.com.
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