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Rep. Doug Ericksen’s
statements on today’s House Democrat supplemental transportation budget
proposal
“Never before has our state faced more failures in transportation, and
this budget proposal offers no solutions for these problems. It is the
legislative equivalent of saying, ‘we have nothing.’ This approach lacks
vision and leadership on one of the major issues of our day.
“There are many reasons why 70 percent of the public is
not satisfied with transportation leadership in Olympia. This budget
proposal ignores realities facing families every day and does nothing to
build trust in state government. At a time when we need leadership, when
we need a new vision and when we need real change – this budget offers
us ‘business as usual’ in Olympia.”
On the $1.8 billion shortfall
“Despite $1.1 billion in new borrowing last year, Olympia is still $1.8
billion short on all of the projects it promised when it sold the 9.5
cent state gas tax increase to Washingtonians. The budget proposal uses
project cuts, gimmicks and even more borrowing to mask a huge financial
problem. This approach will not help to build trust with the public.”
Project cuts
“This budget proposal cuts transportation projects – there is no way to
argue that.”
SR 520 Bridge
“This budget proposal assumes the state is incapable of building a new
520 bridge before 2018. This assumption is a symptom of the culture of
failure in Olympia today. It also clears the way for tolls to be
charged for ten years before the new bridge is built. This is not a good
approach and people will understandably be upset with it.”
Alaskan Way Viaduct
“There is simply no plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The
‘miracle mile’ continues to be ignored despite the fact transportation
leaders have known for years that it is a dangerous infrastructure.”
Highway 2
“This budget fails to recognize the dangers and needs of Highway 2. It
dedicates only $5 million to Highway 2 for a passing lane, while adding
$7.5 million for a suicide net in Seattle. This is a misplaced
priority.”
Spokane area
“The governor and majority party are again telling the people of Spokane
that they will not be receiving funding for a new North–South freeway.
Even after the largest gas tax increase in state history in 2005,
Spokane is being told that it is on its own to pay for a freeway. It’s
hard to understand why Spokane continues to be ignored.”
State ferries
“The governor is making crisis-mode decisions – a crisis of her own
making. The state committed to a $285 million plan in 2003 to build four
new ferries to replace its Steel Electrics – with new boats expected
this year. Today, the project is still in its design phase. You can name
new people to positions, send out news releases and make promises, but
until there is real leadership from the top-down in our state ferry
system we will continue to see the same poor results. This is unfair to
commuters, small businesses and our economy.”
Rep. Doug Ericksen is Deputy Republican Leader and ranking
Republican on the House Transportation Committee
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For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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