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Project cuts in proposed House, Senate
transportation budgets unnecessary, leave promises unfulfilled says Rep.
Roach
House GOP plan would preserve projects while still
funding viaduct, 520 bridge
House Republican
transportation leader
Rep. Dan Roach
says both the House and Senate proposed transportation budgets
unnecessarily axe important highway projects that could be saved with
some "creative thinking."
Roach responded today
after House Democrats released a proposed $4 billion transportation
budget that delays and/or eliminates funding for 30 highway projects
across Washington.
"The biggest concern I
have is that both budgets are showing hundreds of millions of dollars in
projects being dropped off the list. This is irresponsible because the
Legislature made the promise to voters when the gas tax increase was
passed that these projects would be funded. Under these new plans, the
Legislature is going back on its word," said Roach, R-Bonney Lake.
"There's no reason to
eliminate or delay these projects. House Republicans have a plan that
would not only ensure funding for replacement of the Alaskan Way viaduct
and the 520 bridge, but would provide enough money to complete the other
projects across the state," added Roach.
Under the House Republican
proposal, Roach said up to $1 billion could be raised by selling the
real estate where the viaduct currently stands, and dedicating all sales
tax on tunnel construction and related private development back to the
project to reduce costs. Although the city of Seattle owns the land,
Roach said the Legislature could still direct the city to sell the
property since it would be receiving state dollars for the viaduct
replacement.
"The projects left off the
funding list in both the House and Senate transportation budget
proposals amount to just over $420 million. We could direct the city of
Seattle to sell the land beneath the viaduct and use a tax increment
financing system to raise about a billion dollars that could be
distributed around the state for these other projects," noted Roach.
Methods to free up money
for other state highway projects also include creating a public-private
partnership arrangement for the viaduct, similar to the arrangement used
for replacement of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, or abandoning the tunnel
proposal in favor of a viaduct retrofit.
"Both the House and Senate
proposals demonstrate that the majority party is willing to fund the
Seattle mega projects at the expense of other projects throughout the
state. When House Republicans look at the state's transportation needs,
we agree with the motto, 'One Washington.' While mega projects are
important, it is critical to remember that it's not 'One Seattle.' All
taxpayers in Washington must be represented -- not just those within the
Seattle city limits," said Roach. "House Republicans have three solid
ideas that would not only ensure funding of the mega projects in
Seattle, but would also fulfill our obligation to the taxpayers to
complete the other projects as promised."
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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