With week two of session behind us, as promised, here is our full 2017 Legislative Agenda. Our agenda focuses on a set of important policy and funding issues to advance our vision of affordable, vibrant, walkable and bike-friendly communities connected by frequent and reliable transit.
As is typical with the beginning of a long legislative session, the first few weeks tend to be quiet with committee meetings focused on work sessions on specific issue areas. Despite the slow beginning, there was one noteworthy transportation-related event last week.
Roger Millar, the Secretary of Transportation for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), had a public hearing related to his appointment as the Secretary. Typically, the State Senate confirms gubernatorial appointees, with a public hearing being the first step in that process. Secretary Millar provided the Senate Transportation Committeea report on the state of transportation in Washington, including an overview of the agency’s work and, among other policies, highlighted the agency’s efforts to implement practical solutions – a performance-based approach to transportation decision-making the TCC strongly supports. You can watch his presentation and public hearing on TVW. The next step in his confirmation process is for the Senate to vote to confirm his appointment. We will keep you updated as session progresses.
On a related note, we hope you will join us to discuss transit policy and our advocacy efforts at our upcoming Transit Talks on February 1, 11:30am – 12:30pm. RSVP soon as space is limited and filling up quickly! If you’re unable to join us for Transit Talks but still want to talk shop, phone in to our regular Policy Chat, an insider’s baseball conversation about the 2017 legislative session, scheduled February 3, 11:00am.
Until next week,
Ricardo Gotla
Policy Director
