You’ve heard a lot from us about the proposed transportation package in the legislature. You’ve taken action on the need to fund transit, keep the proposal separate from the clean fuels debate, and fully fund Sound Transit 3. These things are all still crucial and we thank you for all you’ve done up until now to make your voice as transit riders and supporters heard.
Right now, there’s action you can take to impact direct state funding of transit.
It’s a critical moment for the potential Washington State transportation package. Negotiations between the House and Senate are currently on hold, but we anticipate they will pick up in these final days of legislative overtime as deals on the operating budget and the transportation package are finalized.
Even in this difficult political climate, transit champions in the House have helped develop a transportation package proposal that includes a $220 million dollar investment in regional mobility grants and a $250 million dollar investment in special needs grants. While we wish direct transit funding were higher, the House proposal far surpasses the State Senate proposal, which only provides $140 million in regional mobility grants and $160 million in special needs grants.
State funding for transit is proportionately small, but important. While the national average for state contributions to transit is 22%, only 2% of transit spending in Washington comes from the State.
Still, these funds have helped replace outdated Sounder trains,built transit facilities in Yakima, Ridgefield, Skagit County and throughout Washington, and help fund the 200th Street light rail extension in SeaTac.
In rural areas of Washington, mobility grants and paratransit operations dollars are critical for small agencies. Without this funding, these lifeline services and some regional bus routes might not be viable
Everyone, whether they use transit or not, benefits from state investments in transit. The state highway system works more efficiently when buses help take cars off the road, and these same routes help connect communities all across Washington.
Our state and legislature can and should do better when it comes to state funding for transit.
Please take action today and tell the legislature to step up its game, hold the line, and pass a transportation proposal that funds transit at the levels proposed by the House, not the Senate.
