Sound Transit leaders seek legislative support for funding measures

Sound Transit leaders traveled to Olympia on Wednesday to discuss with the House Transportation Committee the additional local funding authority needed for voters to consider a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Friday, January 30, 2015 5:36pm
  • News
Sound Transit leaders hope to get legislators to back a bill to authorize tax funding measures for possible ballot measure in 2016 or later.

Sound Transit leaders hope to get legislators to back a bill to authorize tax funding measures for possible ballot measure in 2016 or later.

Sound Transit leaders traveled to Olympia on Wednesday to discuss with the House Transportation Committee the additional local funding authority needed for voters to consider a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

State Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, a former Sound Transit board member, is prime sponsor of the legislation (House Bill 1180) that would give Sound Transit a mix of funding tools.

The proposed funding mechanisms include:

• An additional sales tax up to 0.5 percent (50 cents on a $100 purchase)

• An additional motor vehicle excise tax of up to 0.8 percent ($80 annually on a $10,000 vehicle)

• A property tax up to 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation ($75 annually for a $300,000 house)

If that authority is granted, the exact amount requested from voters will be determined later as the public helps shape a ballot measure for consideration in November 2016 or later.

Dow Constantine, King County Executive and Sound Transit board chair, gave the Transportation Committee an overview of the agency and its progress in delivering projects.

He was then joined in support of HB 1180 by Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland and Everett Councilmember Paul Roberts, who are both Sound Transit Board vice chairs. Other board members who testified included Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, Snohomish County Executive John Lovick and Seattle Councilmember Mike O’Brien.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Kent police investigate fatal two-vehicle collision

The collision killed a woman and left a 45-year-old Tacoma driver, suspected of intoxication at the time of the crash, hospitalized.

Competing for the 8th Congressional District: Carmen Goers, left, and Kim Schrier. COURTESY PHOTOS
Adam Smith and Kim Schrier will retain Congress seats | Election 2024

Smith represents the 9th Congressional District and Schrier represents the 8th Congressional District.

Courtesy of Democratic Caucus
Pictured left to right: Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D), Rep. David Hackney, and Rep. Steve Bergquist
Democratic incumbents in lead for 11th Legislative District

Bob Hasegawa, David Hackney and Steve Bergquist have strong leads, with Hasegawa and Hackney running unopposed.

Debra Entenman and Kyle Lyebyedyev. File photos
Entenman and Stearns lead in 47th District | Election 2024

The district includes Kent, Covington and Auburn.

File photo
Kent School District levy is failing at the polls | Election 2024

Early election results show voters rejecting the proposed Capital Projects and Technology Levy.

Larry Best, a customer coordinator for quality assurance who has worked at Boeing for 38 years, stands outside of Angel of the Winds Arena with a “vote no” sign on Monday in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists approve contract, ending 52-day strike

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Photos from the United States Attorney's Office Western District of Washington press release.
Kent man arrested in connection to violent drug trafficking gang investigation

Law enforcement seized more than 20 kilograms of fentanyl, 60 firearms, and more than $130,000 in cash.

Courtesy Photo, King County
Son accused of fatally shooting mother’s boyfriend in Kent back in jail

Dondre Butler has 3 violations in 13 months of electronic home detention after charged with murder in 2022

t
Kent Police targeted street patrols result in arrest of two felons

One driver spotted in a vehicle with no plates; another driver reportedly in a stolen vehicle

t
Kent cold case murder suspect back in state after governor’s warrant | Update

Kenneth Kundert fought extradition from Arkansas after August arrest in 1980 killing of Dorothy Silzel

t
City of Kent eyes November opening for Reith Road roundabouts

Two more roundabouts will bring total in city to six; three more in future plans