| |
Bailey votes for transportation budget,
wants ferry promises kept
10th District state lawmaker believes ferry system
important
for the whole state
A $7.5 billion
state
transportation budget passed off the House floor today and is expected
to be signed into law by the governor. The budget funds highway projects
until 2015, but ferry projects are funded only until 2013. Beyond 2015,
project funding will be at risk because the 16-year financial plan is not
fully balanced.
Rep. Barbara Bailey
voted for the budget, but wants to ensure Washington
State Ferries (WSF) operation and capital plans move forward and promises are
kept to the public. She expressed her concerns on the House floor
during debate.
"In 2003, I voted for a transportation budget
that raised gas taxes on the citizens of this state primarily because it
promised to build replacement ferries for our Steel Electrics. The first boat was supposed to be in the water this year,
and we don't have that boat," said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.
"In 2005, we had another transportation budget that raised taxes again,
and it made more promises. We have not completed these promises. It is
troublesome that we continue to go down this road, and it has to stop."
The budget leaves around a
$936 million deficit in the ferry capital budget over the 16-year
period. Both the operating and capital accounts are balanced only
through the 2011-13 budget cycle, and a deficit accrues beginning in 2013-15.
Ferry capital changes
are as follows:
-
$212 million for
construction of three Island Home vessels from 2010-2012.
-
In
2011-13, there is about $70 million available for the purchase of a
fourth Island Home vessel. If additional revenue is approved, a 144-car vessel would be built instead, with a second
144-car boat planned in the 2013-15 budget cycle.
-
Terminal improvement projects are funded on a limited basis.
Bailey
acknowledged challenges with the state's transportation system, but said
its ferry operations must improve because it affects the whole state.
"I understand we have funding problems with our state
transportation system, but the bottom line is promises must be kept,"
said Bailey. "While there may be a perception that only
a segment of our population rely on ferries, our ferry system affects
our whole state. It's vital for commuters, tourism and our economy."
Ferry operating changes are as follows:
-
Continue operation of the Anacortes-Sidney ferry run.
-
The
ferry system and the Transportation Commission must submit a
business plan if it considers imposing a fuel surcharge for ferry
fares.
-
WSF
will begin planning for a reservation system subject to legislative
approval.
-
Ongoing
fare increase of 2.5 percent each year.
-
Exempt ferries from 20
percent biofuel mandate and replace it with a 5 percent mandate
subject to diesel fuel price trigger.
The 2009 legislative session is scheduled to end tomorrow, April 26.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
|
|