By Pablo Colindres Moreno / For The Herald
Since legislators voted to approve Senate Bill 5801 in April, questions about the necessity of this levy have risen. Adding an extra 6 cents a gallon to our gas expenses, starting July 1, may seem like a significant budget addendum for those of us who rely on our vehicles to get to work, school and transport our families.
That’s a valid concerns. Rising prices across the board have diminished our spending power and limit our quality of life. However, it’s these exact reasons that make this levy a necessity for our long-term quality of life in Snohomish County.
Let’s break down why investing in transportation via this legislation makes sense; and what we can accomplish with the projected revenue.
How will the money be used?
A short-term state budget shortfall of $1 billion over the next two years could balloon up to $8 billion over the next six years, which will affect public services we all depend on.
According to the stipulations approved by the Legislature, all proceeds for the gas tax (and other levies within SB 5801) will be used solely for transportation initiatives. With the shortfalls threatening a timely response to ongoing maintenance repairs and other necessary expenditures — such as ferry upkeep — it is imperative to fund the present and future of our transportation infrastructure.
Why we can’t wait: Some of the comments opposing the bill addressed the current financial ecosystem we live in. With everyday expenses taking a more prominent role in our budgets, the argument can be made to hold off on some of the expenditures in transportation and wait for a friendlier economy.
In the short term, saving money allotted to these projects now might seem like a good idea. However, rising costs and supply chain issues mean that these projects will only become more expensive with time. The Associated General Contractors of America recently reported that input prices for construction materials have increased every month in 2025, outpacing contractor bids and adding to the baseline cost of infrastructure projects.
These growing figures will challenge future budgets and risk delaying essential work in ways that could impact highway safety. For example, a delay in projects such as updating the U.S. 2 trestle will only be harder to fund in the future, especially if a ballooning budget shortfall affects existing funding.
Andrew Thompson, senior estimator at Granite Construction, said the gas tax directly supports planning and design for the U.S. 2 Trestle Capacity Improvements. “When you pay the gas tax, you also support the design and construction of the trestle connection to our fast-growing eastside; allowing commuters and commerce to meet the region’s growth and the future light rail,” he said.
For legislators such as Sen. Marko Liias, chair of the transportation committee, these projects must remain viable for the good of our communities. “We’re spending it on keeping our promises, on preserving and maintaining and filling potholes on the highways,” he told the Washington State Standard, “and we’re spending it on safety.”
According to the state Department of Transportation, around 65,000 vehicles drive on Snohomish County roads on a daily basis. In a car-dependent community, especially in rural areas, unforeseen closures or project delays can severely impact movement and access to critical services.
Public transport is for everyone: As costs rise, public transport’s affordability and reliability become clear, reducing congestion and also pollution. Community Transit will provide a projected 10 million trips in 2025 across its 46 routes. With services connecting to the light rail, even commuting to Seattle (as around 15,000 of Snohomish County residents do daily) is more affordable and reliable.
“Everett is the nexus for our county,” Thompson continued. “Meeting Snohomish County’s long-term mobility needs requires a holistic perspective, especially with light rail expected to reach Everett by 2041. This will become more apparent when Sound Transit arrives in 16 years.”
For working families, students and seniors alike, a well-funded transit network is more than a convenience; it’s a lifeline that helps ensure access to opportunity, stability, and independence.
A future-proof Snohomish County starts here: Senate Bill 5801 ensures we are investing in the long-term reliability of the systems that move our workforce, connect businesses to markets, and keep our region competitive.
When more people have access to efficient, reliable transit, employers gain access to talent, workers gain access to more job opportunities, congestion eases and costs go down across the board. These are bottom-line impacts for businesses, commuters and communities alike.
This isn’t about short-term sacrifice. It’s about economic readiness, regional access and a transportation system built to meet the future.
Pablo Colindres Moreno is marketing communications manager for Economic Alliance Snohomish County. EASC is the largest regional economic development organization in Snohomish County, supporting a globally competitive regional economy in which all businesses can thrive and participate equally through effective advocacy and resource access.
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