Dear friends,
Last week, we were excited to report that Rep. Jake Fey had introduced a Road Usage Charge bill (HB 1921) to help secure new long-term funding for transportation in the face of declining gas tax revenue.
We support this bill because it creates a new long-term funding source for transit, walking, and biking, and a dedicated funding source for the preservation and maintenance of Washington’s roadway. Its commitment to use Road Usage Charge revenue to fix the transportation infrastructure we have rather than build new highway projects could signal a huge shift in transportation spending in Washington.
We testified before the House Transportation Committee last Thursday, and advocates like you sent in more than 1,700 letters asking committee members to advance this bill.
But we need your help to keep up the momentum!
As we saw at the public hearing, there’s a strong and organized opposition to a Road Usage Charge, largely made up of people who oppose any new form of taxation, or oppose having any revenue from this bill go to transit, walking, and biking.
But here’s the thing: drivers shouldn’t just pay for maintaining the roads they use. Driving also contributes to pollution — from the carbon emissions of gas-powered vehicles to toxic runoff from tires that’s killing salmon and costing the state billions of dollars in culvert removal. And crashes cost the state of Washington’s economy over $23 billion each year, on top of causing serious injuries and tragic loss of life.
To mitigate these harms from driving, Washington must invest in building better streets, sidewalks, trails, and transit to keep people safe and so more people can drive less or get around without a car. And when they do? They’ll pay at lot less for their annual Road Usage Charge.
Help us show that investments in transit, walking, and biking do have support throughout the state. Many of you sent letters to House Transportation Committee members last week. The Senate version of the Road Usage Charge bill, SB 5726, will have a hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee tomorrow, Feb. 18, at 4 PM.
Please take a few minutes to send a letter to members of the Senate Transportation Committee and sign in PRO.
In other news, this Thursday, Feb. 20, at 4 PM, we will be presenting to the Senate Transportation Committee about our Megaproject for Safety proposal as part of a work session on traffic safety for state routes running through cities and towns. These are some of the most dangerous roads for all users in the state, but especially for people walking and biking. We’ve been advocating that the state invest $150 million per year to transform these roadways into safe, livable streets for people. Tune in here!
Earlier on Thursday, we will also be presenting on this proposal at the Washington State Transportation Commission meeting that starts at 9 AM. There’s growing interest and momentum for our state to take bold action to address the traffic safety crisis! Check out our one-pager and blog post for more info.
Finally, this Friday, Feb. 21, is the last day for policy bills that aren’t budget-related to be passed out of their respective committees. Expect to see a lot of updates next week on some of the bills we’re tracking and supporting. Check out our 2025 Bill Tracker, and read more about what’s coming up this week below.
Ride on!
– Transportation Choices
What's Coming Up This Week
Tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 18
- A bill establishing new sources of transportation revenue based on motor vehicle use of public roadways (SB 5726) will be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee at 4 PM. This companion bill to HB 1921 would create a Road Usage Charge to help ensure all drivers help fund the maintenance and preservation of our roadways, as well as transit, walking, and biking to mitigate the impacts of driving. Please sign in “Pro” here and send a letter to members of the Senate Transportation Committee.
Wednesday, Feb. 19
- A bill to modify the allowable terms for the lease of unused highway land (HB 1774) will have an executive session in the House Transportation Committee. This bill would lower the cost of transit infrastructure projects on or near highways.
Thursday, Feb. 20
- The Senate Transportation Committee is holding a work session on traffic safety on state routes running through cities and towns. We’ll be presenting on our Megaproject for Safety proposal to redesign these dangerous roads. You can tune in here starting at 4 PM (note: the work session will be after public hearings on several bills).
