Last Thursday, for the first time since 2014, the Washington State Legislature adjourned without requiring a special session (or two or three)!
After a quick 60-day session and hours of working with representatives, coalition members, and community partners in Olympia to advance our legislative priorities, we are thrilled to see smart transportation policies move forward.
Below is a recap of the transportation victories this session:
Sound Transit 3 funding is safe!
The big win in Olympia was what didn’t happen last week. The legislature did not move forward with Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5955 or House Bill 2201, bills that would have reduced the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET)—the car tab fee—and impacted Sound Transit funding. Sound Transit estimated that the bills would have resulted in a $780 million revenue loss to the agency. Over the long term, the accumulated loss would be about $2 billion due to interest and financing impacts.
The House passed HB 2201 early in the session, but the bill didn’t progress any further. Instead, the Senate proceeded with SB 5955 and passed the bill with an amendment that would allow Sound Transit to offset the financial impact of the MVET credit by utilizing funds from the “Puget Sound Taxpayer Accountability Account.” This amendment would result in a smaller financial impact to Sound Transit, but also use funds from that accountability account that is maintained to fund education projects in the region. The House Transportation Committee then amended SB 5955, removing the Senate amendments.
Ultimately, the bill died in the House before deadline. Representative Judy Clibborn released a statement as the legislature was adjourning saying, “the new House Republican leadership made it very clear they were not interested in passing car tab relief, and would filibuster the bill until the 2018 regular session ended.”
We are pleased that Sound Transit 3 funding is safe! We worked closely with legislators to ensure that whatever action they took on car tabs would secure resources for Sound Transit to deliver projects on time.
Fair representation on transit agency boards.
SB 6414 passed! This bill will require members of transit agency boards to be selected to ensure proportional representation of the cities and unincorporated sections of counties that are located within the transit area boundary. It guarantees that transit boards reflect the population they serve and that every voter has a voice in how decisions are made on these boards.
Intercity Transit in Olympia heads to the ballot.
SB 5288 passed and Governor Inslee signed the bill today! This bill allows Intercity Transit, the public transportation agency in Olympia, to grow its service and increase its taxing authority by an additional 0.3% with voter approval.
Maintain funding commitments to multimodal investments.
Working in coalition with our multimodal partners, we were successful in protecting and ultimately growing investments for bike and pedestrian infrastructure, the safe routes to schools, public transportation grant programs, capital grants, and commute trip reduction.
State Representative Judy Clibborn to retire.
State Representative and House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn announced last week that she would not be running for re-election. We have worked closely with Representative Clibborn for many years and are appreciative of her leadership as Chair of the House Transportation Committee since 2009. She negotiated and managed the many moving pieces that are involved with putting together transportation packages, including historic increases in multimodal funding and Sound Transit 3 legislative authority. We extend our warmest congratulations and thanks to Representative Clibborn for her leadership and service in the state legislature!
Until next year, we are working hard to plan for another session by continuing to strengthen transit support, lead the way toward progressive solutions, and continue to connect people to opportunity.
Thanks to all who are working with us to create more transportation choices across Washington State!
