Summary

Executive Constantine responds to the state transportation package that was approved by the Senate.

Story

King County Executive Dow Constantine this afternoon commented on the state transportation funding package passed by the Senate:

"I’m encouraged with Senate passage of a state transportation package. The Senate bill includes many of the important elements that our King County coalition has sought all along: preservation and maintenance of our deteriorating roads and highways, investments in cities and counties, and increasing transportation options.

"I also applaud progress that was made to preserve family wages for these construction jobs.

"I am pleased that it includes authorization of funding needed to expand light-rail service in the Central Puget Sound region. It is still critical that the Legislature provide Sound Transit the full funding authority it has requested. The current legislation caps funding authorization at $11 billion — or $4 billion less than requested.

"I remain concerned that this package includes provisions unrelated to investing in our transportation system that would weaken our ability to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment. I am also concerned with amendments added that could have a negative impact to sales tax collected in King County. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to address these issues.

"This is a positive step forward and we all need to urge our legislators to pass, and the Governor to sign, a clean bill this year for a balanced transportation package, one that is critically needed to ensure mobility for everyone in Washington State."