They say that those you love can hurt you the most. As bus-loving, rail-hungry transit supporters, we’ve learned to deal with the haters. We’ve prepped our arguments against the so-called “war on cars,” “automated vehicles are the answer,” “blank check for government” and “never-ending taxes”.
(For the record: The “war on cars” is not a thing, we all wish “automated vehicles are the answer” but don’t bet on it, the “blank check for government” is flatly not true, and “never-ending taxes” is a misleading lie).
But more difficult and more unexpected — has been opposition from allies that are usually on the same page.
A few outspoken progressives have decided that Sound Transit Prop. 1 does not do enough to curb climate change, takes money away from education, is too suburban, and too costly for “the poor.” And they are “taking a stand” by voting no.
It’s a no-brainer for TCC to support and endorse this measure — bringing high-capacity transit to the region is the name of our game. But we don’t endorse transit measures blindly. We worked for more than a year with a broad group of organizations to shape the plan and policies that make up Prop. 1. Our reasons for supporting Prop. 1 are nuanced, and — given the recent blows from the left — bear further explanation.
It’s an important step toward fighting climate change.
- Transportation is the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in WA state, which is why all of the major environmental groups – Sierra Club to WEC – are supporting Prop 1 as the single most important thing you can do for climate in this election.
- A comprehensive analysis showsthat when the entire system is built out, Sound Transit will reduce 793,000 metric tons a year of GHG. That’s the equivalent of saving 89 million gallons of gas annually. PSRC estimates that Prop 1’s extension of light rail to Everett, Tacoma and Redmond alone as well as bicycle and pedestrian access investments, together could result in a 9 percent decrease in regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. (D-5)
- Putting affordable housing near transit improves climate outcomes even further: Research from Transformfinds that “lower Income households drive 50% fewer miles when living within 1/4 mile of transit than those living in non-TOD. Higher Income households drive more than twice as many miles as very low-income households living within 1/4 mile of transit.
- There is nearly $350M in bike and pedestrian investments in the Prop 1 plan to ensure that people can access the transit stations without driving their cars.
Light rail vs education is a false choice.
- The argument that Prop. 1 would divert funds from education has been demonstrated over and over again to be false. The Department of Revenue has already clarified that Sound Transit 3 does not interfere with the state’s ability to fully fund education. To suggest we have to choose between education and transportation is an absolutely false choice. Prop. 1 instead will help connect residents to 135 K-12 facilities and 31 higher education institutions.
Serving the suburbs is more than just a political necessity — it’s a social justice issue.
- The notion that people who live in the suburbs don’t deserve fast, frequent, and reliable transit represents a fundamental misunderstanding about how Seattle’s affordability issues are impacting people (i.e.: forcing low-income and disadvantaged individuals to move further and further away). Light rail will stretch to Federal Way, Everett, and Tacoma connecting low-income communities and communities of color. For example, the Link extension to the Federal Way Transit Center will serve a population that is 57% minority* and 22% low-income, according to Sound Transit, while the Lynnwood to Everett segment will serve a population that is 42% minority* and 17% low-income.
- Light rail also catalyzes land use changes that encourage compact and mixed used development. We have already seen this happen in the Spring District in Bellevue and Downtown Redmond. Kent, Shoreline and Lynnwood have also upzoned in anticipation of rail.
People of color are saying they want light rail. Listen up.
- The assertion that this package does not benefit low-income communities is just plain wrong. TCC has worked for a year with several social justice organizations including OneAmerica, Housing Development Consortium, and Puget Sound Sage to develop the system plan, affordable housing components and station access policies and investments. It is frustrating to hear people of privilege claim that they have the answers – without even consulting or speaking with the organizations that represent low-income communities and communities of color.
- Equity work around transit (analysis and advocacy) isn’t new to this region. Between 2011 and 2014, PSRC hosted the Growing Transit Communities Partnership, a cross-sector, consensus-driven, corridor-based planning process that was informed by the robust analysis and stakeholder engagement. This group partnered with the Kirwan Institute on aground-breaking analysis that examined how high capacity transit will benefit communities across the Puget Sound, in particular low-income and minority* communities. The Prop. 1 proposal reflects those needed connections for moving communities from low opportunity to high opportunity.
- A recent Harvard studyshows that access to reliable transportation is the single largest barrier to economic mobility in low income families.
- The affordable housing provisions in the plan are some of the most expansive requirements in the country and will catalyze the creation of thousands of units of housing region-wide.
It’s not cheap, but doing nothing costs more.
- 1 is not “astronomically expensive.” It is about a billion in new taxes every year for 25 years, and those taxes roll back after the plan is completed.
- Compare the median annual cost of Prop. 1, $169 per adult, with the cost of congestion, $1500 per commuter per year, according to the Texas A&M Institute.
- The agency is using the tax sources granted to it by the legislature. They, and only they, can change our tax structure at any time to be more equitable. But that is not an excuse to wait on helping our region’s residents get out crippling gridlock. Plus, taxes are paid both by individuals and businesses. The anticipated split of “who pays” is as follows:
|
Revenue source |
Individuals |
Businesses |
|
Retail Sales tax |
58% |
42% |
|
Property tax |
65% |
35% |
|
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax |
Hard to determine split |
|
Progressives tend to agree broadly on a set of issues, if not the exact solutions: we believe in funding social services, environmental preservation, safety nets for those in need, protection of equal rights, healthcare for all. Like many of these issues, transportation is about more than transportation. It’s about the environment, lifting up those in poverty, increasing economic opportunities for all, improving health outcomes. Hence the broad and varied support for Prop. 1. It’s this intersectionality that makes our work so interesting, and our partnerships so important. It’s why we are at our best when we talk with each other, listen to each other, and lift each other up.
It’s why TCC is supporting Prop. 1.
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* Sound Transit uses the term minority in its analysis. At TCC, we use the term People of Color or POC instead.
Senate
Returning Senators Steve Hobbs (44th) — Chair Rebecca Saldaña (37th) — Vice Chair Marko Liias (21st) Freshmen Senators Mona Das (47th) Joe Nguyen (34th) Emily Randall (26th)House
Returning Representatives Jake Fey (27th) — Chair Sharon Wylie (49th) — 1st Vice Chair Vandana Slatter (48th) — 2nd Vice Chair Javier Valdez (46th) — 2nd Vice Chair Beth Doglio (22nd) Mia Gregerson (33rd) Shelley Kloba (1st) Mike Pellicciotti (30th) Marcus Riccelli (3rd) Freshmen Representatives Debra Entenman (47th) Jared Mead (44th) Bill Ramos (5th) Sharon Shewmake (42nd)Hot issues for 2019
A cleaner transportation system
After the defeat of I-1631 at the ballot box, environmental, climate and social justice advocates, as well as electeds, are pursuing legislative options to build a cleaner, healthier state. Policies like a low-carbon fuel standard, a Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, or a legislated fee on carbon are already circulating as potential options for legislators to champion.
House Transportation Chair Jake Fey has stated an intention to pass a “green transportation” bill. In December he pulled together a variety of transportation, utility and industry stakeholders to discuss ideas. TCC will look to ensure this effort supports growing transit, transit electrification, and uses an equity lens.
A more just environment
With many strong progressive legislators, including new legislators of color, there is momentum to advance equity policies at the state level. Representative Mia Gregerson is leading the charge, with a bill that would create a new Office of Equity within the Office of the Governor to improve state services and improve outcomes across issues like health, education, and environment.
Senator Saldaña, along with our partners at Front & Centered, are specifically targeting environmental justice with a bill that would create a governing council to embed environmental justice principles into state agencies, including transportation. From the placement of roads and highways, to how stormwater is managed, the transportation sector has significant environmental impacts that disproportionately impact some communities over others — this bill is taking a step to recognize and correct for this.
A new transportation package
Finally, legislators and advocates will begin discussions around a new transportation package. The State’s last transportation package, Connecting Washington, passed in 2015. How to create a cleaner transportation system will continue to be a key theme of discussions around a new transportation package. TCC will look to grow investments for the multimodal account, which funds transit, walking and biking projects, and important grant programs like Safe Routes to School and special needs transit.
Budget negotiations
The State of Washington passes a new budget every two years, and this is a budget year. In late 2018, TCC advocated for increased investment in the State’s Commute Trip Reduction program, active transportation, and I-5 corridor planning. Governor Jay Inslee released his initial budget in December, reflecting several of our asks. The legislature will now take up budget deliberations, with opportunities to advocate for additional investments and policy direction. TCC’s top-of-mind is to ensure any work or planning involving new technologies (like autonomous and connected vehicles) studies the impacts on health and safety.
Our priorities
In addition to engaging in the big discussions around environment, equity, and funding this session, we’ll be supporting several other bills to help keep transit moving and better manage our current system:
- Bolstering High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) enforcement through increased penalties, in order to maximize efficiency of these lanes and ensure reliable trips for transit and carpools
- Expanding traffic camera statutes to include automatic enforcement of bus lanes and crosswalks (especially important for the Seattle Squeeze)
- Authorizing tolls on 405 and 167 to help manage congestion, improve transit reliability, and raise revenue for facility improvements
See our full list of priorities here. Download our priorities one-pager here.
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Stay engaged
Here are ways to stay engaged and participate in our state’s policy-making process.
- TCC Bill Tracker.The bills we are closely tracking along with status updates and actions.
- Sign up for our Action Alerts.Be the first to know when a bill is at risk and take action to keep our transportation moving.
