Most people agree Washington’s roads and highways need work. Initiative 912 seems to be more of a rebellion against a tax raised without a vote than the tax itself. With the initiative on the ballot, voters have a say on the gas tax. But if I-912 passes, yet another transportation funding package will go down, just like R-51 and R-49 (passed but vetoed by I-695).
The problem is voters are only given the choice of whether or not to approve the plan. If it fails, nothing happens and roads get more congested and dangerous. It’s all or nothing.
Next time a transportation package goes on the ballot, give voters a list of transportation packages to choose from. Each one would be a different level of funding. From doing nothing to the extreme package that does everything with a couple reasonable plans in between.
For once, the real debate would be on how much to spend.
My vote would go to a plan that included a good size gas tax, about 20 to 50 cents. There is a huge list of things that need to be done: Replace the Alaska Way viaduct and 520 bridge, more lanes for I-405 or a new freeway east of 405, extend the 167 freeway to Tacoma, widen highways 2, 9, 18 and 522 for capacity and safety, fix up I-90 around Snoqualmie Pass, the North Spokane corridor and on and on. Yes, it will be expensive, but it will be worth it if all these projects are finished within 5-10 years.
Another reason to have a higher tax is to pay off the bonds sooner so the interest doesn’t monorail the overall cost. With less money going to pay interest, more funding goes to projects.
Scott Jones
Lake Stevens
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