| |
House transportation budget
reflects indecision on major projects, broken promises
House Republican transportation leader: ‘We need
more decisions and fewer commissions’
The state House of
Representatives today passed a supplemental transportation budget that
makes adjustments to the $7.4 billion 2007-09 transportation budget
passed last year.
Ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee
Rep.
Doug Ericksen is disappointed with the proposal, saying it
reflects continued indecision on major projects and would cut projects
promised by gas tax increases.
“This budget lacks vision and it shows no leadership,” said Ericksen,
also Deputy Republican Leader. “The people of Washington state
deserve better.”
“Despite 1.1 billion dollars in new borrowing last year to cover a 1.7
billion dollar shortfall, the governor and Democrats are still 1.8
billion dollars short on the projects they promised with the 9.5 cent
state gas tax increase. They try to balance this shortfall with
additional bonding and accounting gimmicks,” said Ericksen,
R-Ferndale. “This approach is irresponsible and pushes serious
problems further down the road.”
Ericksen said some communities will be surprised to hear their
projects are being cut.
“I hope the public understands that just because projects are on the
list does not mean they will be funded in the future,” said Ericksen.
“This budget cuts transportation projects – important promises that were
made to communities and taxpayers.”
Ericksen says the continued indecision on major projects in the
Seattle area is at the expense of other important projects statewide.
“Indecision on major projects continues to be at the expense of other
important projects statewide. According to nonpartisan staff, every
month we delay on the Alaskan Way Viaduct it costs the state 8 million
dollars. And that number is 10 million dollars a month for the 520
Bridge,” said Ericksen. “There is no plan and there is no funding
for these two crucial infrastructures that we have known for a long time
to be dangerous.”
Ericksen also believes the budget’s priorities are misguided.
“Highway 2, the most dangerous roadway in our state, would only receive
$5 million for a project that ranks 33rd of the 56 projects in the U.S.
2 Route Development Plan. In contrast, Seattle would receive $7.5
million for a suicide-prevention fence on the Aurora Avenue Bridge,”
said Ericksen. “This speaks volumes about the priorities of this
budget.”
Ericksen pointed out the budget ignores the needs of Spokane and
Vancouver. It would direct the state Department of Transportation to
conduct a study of whether tolls are a feasible revenue option for the
North-South Freeway in Spokane, and would direct the same state agency
to study any issues with project development for the Columbia River
Crossing.
“We need more decisions and fewer commissions,” said Ericksen.
“Let’s not mistake motion with movement. These communities want
significant progress on their important projects.”
The budget would also leave a $364 million shortfall in the ferry
capital account and delay a decision pending the outcome of the Ferry
Finance Study due in December 2008.
Ericksen pointed out that past state ferry promises have been
made before and ultimately broken. He noted that state lawmakers
appropriated $285 million in 2003 to build four new ferries to replace
the state’s aging Steel Electrics. The first boat was scheduled to be in
the water this year. To date, the project is still in its design phase.
“It’s one thing to pass a plan – and another to execute it,” said
Ericksen. “A promise was made before for our ferries and the people
who depend on them – and it was broken. This time, the state needs to
deliver.”
House Bill 2878 now heads to the state Senate.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
|
|