Nearly 100 organizations and public officials show support for long-term transit funding bill waiting for legislative action
Strong and varied support for more transportation funding choices for local governments and transit for Washington residents
OLYMPIA, WA – A wide-ranging group of businesses, human and community service organizations, environmental organizations, educational institutions, labor unions, and elected officials from all over King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties, and across the state, signed a letter to Governor Gregoire and legislative leadership, urging their support of a local options bill (SB 6582), that provides revenue options to local governments and transit agencies across Washington.
The extensive list of supporters are concerned about the economic impacts that looming transit service cuts will have on individuals and businesses throughout the Puget Sound. The letter specifically calls out support for a one-percent motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) for King County and resources for transit agencies in Pierce and Snohomish counties.
“Building great communities requires great transit service,” said Hilary Franz, Executive Director of Futurewise. “Unfortunately, transit agencies are locked into the regressive and volatile sales tax and have drastically cut service. We need this progressive local funding option.”
A billion more people nationwide took public transportation last year than in 2000, according to the American Public Transportation Association. Transit ridership in the Central Puget Sound region increased by 23% from 2005 to 2008.
Meanwhile, Puget Sound transit systems have reached a breaking point. Most do not have the authority to increase revenue to sustain systems and they are being forced to cut back on service — compromising mobility, economic development, and quality of life. This is especially devastating as gas prices continue to rise and cut into people’s way of life.
“Transit agencies in our state are cutting services at the worst possible time,” said Rob Johnson, Executive Director of Transportation Choices Coalition. “This critical bill provides local options for sustainable, voter-approved funding solutions that would give our communities the transit they want and depend on every day.”
While communities feel the sting from drastic cuts, this bill did not meet the deadline for regular session. Supporters on this letter want the bill to be considered and passed during the current special session.
The letter with the list of signers is available online at http://t4washington.org/letter-to-governor-gregoire-and-legislative-leadership-for-a-local-option-for-transit/.
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Transportation for Washington is a multi-year, statewide campaign that lays a new vision for Washington around fixing what’s broken, expanding transit, and building great healthy communities. The campaign is led by Futurewise and Transportation Choices and is supported by a coalition of more than 150 public officials, businesses, labor unions, and environmental, faith, health, and neighborhood organizations.
