ashington now has the opportunity to become one of five states selected by the federal government to privatize rest areas. These rest areas are now costing the taxpayers millions of dollars to maintain, yet many of them are havens for sex predators and drug dealers. Privatization would put those dollars back into the pockets of the taxpayers while improving the conditions and the safety of the rest areas. Private companies would lease the property and build freeway related services.
For example, in 1996 my husband and I leased land from the City of Arlington and built a motel, a gas station, a retail building and a restaurant. The city receives a large lease payment every year, plus sales tax; the buildings are taxed as personal property and therefore contribute to the local hospital, library, fire district, school district, road fund and conservation fund, as well as the city and county portion of the tax. All of the businesses generate sales tax, plus a motel tax, gas tax and liquor tax. These businesses also employ many people, adding to the income tax, social security tax, employment security tax, labor and industries tax, etc.
One argument against privatizing the rest areas is that cities and towns would be hurt because people will not pull off the highway to find services. They don’t do that now; they simply drive to the next exit where those services are located.
Some states in the East have privatized their rest areas and have been very pleased with the results. Please urge U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen to take another look at this idea and put some of our tax dollars to work instead of to waste.
Arlington
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