In a politically polarized environment, Washington state lawmakers were able to move beyond partisan politics and craft a plan that works for all of the state.
As lawmakers in Olympia push towards a state transportation budget, officials in Snoqualmie are preparing to make a second push to fix what they call an overlooked, but important issue.
Just 18 days after its initial unveiling, Senate lawmakers have passed a $15 billion transportation package that includes an 11.7-cent increase to the state gas tax over the next three years.
The state Senate approved a bipartisan transportation plan, co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, on Monday with a 27-22 vote.
A group of four state senators who serve on the Transportation Committee, including Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, unveiled a $15 billion transportation revenue package proposal Feb. 12. The package consists of more than $8 billion in new project funding including $3.2 billion for projects affecting residents in Covington and Maple Valley. The senators are proposing an 11.7 cent gas tax increase over the next three years as the primary funding source.
After two sessions of political gridlock, a bipartisan group of Washington state senators are finally getting the Legislature back on track toward passing a much-needed transportation revenue package.
As the legislative session moves into its second month, there is very little movement on the major issues confronting the state.
Sen. Joe Fain, (R-Auburn), who helped craft the supplemental transportation-budget proposal passed by the Legislature late Thursday, says he made sure the plan would support important South King County projects in a cost-conscious way.
