Hobbs, Harper push for projects

We are writing to thank The Herald for its Thursday editorial calling attention to the important discussion in Olympia about the need for the Legislature to approve a transportation investment package during this special session. (“United for transportation.”) Such a package is vitally important to retaining business, to economic development and to general mobility in Washington and especially in Snohomish County.

As participants in the transportation discussion, we also agree that Rep. Clibborn’s package is much better than the “Senate package.” Two important additional thoughts, though. First, the “Senate package” is actually the package brought forward by Sen. King, the Republican co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. It does not reflect the views of all of the Senate, and in particular, Sen. Steve Hobbs from Lake Stevens and Sen. Nick Harper from Everett have worked tirelessly to make the case for the needed projects here in Snohomish County. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Sen. Hobbs and Sen. Harper.

Second, while Rep. Clibborn’s package is significantly better than Sen. King’s proposal, we think additional projects in Snohomish County should be included, particularly the completion of the Highway 529/I-5 interchange between Everett and Marysville and expansion of the Highway 531 corridor in Arlington, a key part of the north Puget Sound manufacturing corridor.

Jon Nehring

Mayor of Marysville

Karen Guzak

Mayor of Snohomish

Vern Little

Mayor of Lake Stevens