Federal money to pay for most transportation repairs

State budget woes paint bleak picture for other projects

BRAD SHANNON, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- Lawmakers say the Feb. 28 Nisqually Earthquake probably won't change the bare-bones budget to operate the state's congested highway, rail and ferry systems.

Most of the damage -- now estimated at $93 million to state highways, roads and bridges -- is expected to be paid out of Federal Emergency Management Agency aid, said Rep. Ruth Fisher, D-Tacoma, co-chairwoman of the House Transportation Committee.

The state's matching share will come out of a supplemental spending measure for the two-year budget cycle that ends June 30, Fisher said.

The Senate Transportation Committee, meanwhile, is steaming ahead with a $3 billion, no-new-taxes budget proposal for 2001-03 that will be unveiled Tuesday, said committee Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island.

The committee will consider the proposal Wednesday, Haugen said.

"It's not a pretty picture right now," Haugen said.

Very little money will be available for new construction projects that use existing gas-tax revenue, she said.

"It's pretty much a bare-bones" plan, said Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, a Kirkland Republican who, with fellow GOP senators Dan McDonald and Don Benton, has been working closely with Haugen on a draft budget for 2001-2003.

"Our goal is to have a current-law budget we can live with for two years," Haugen said. "Hopefully we can build a new-law budget with enhancements."

Possible tax vote

By "new law," Haugen was referring to a tax-increase package that could be put before voters in November.

Haugen said Democrats and Republicans have worked closely together on a joint plan for the short term because they did not want to have to backtrack if voters reject new taxes.

"I think we're working well together," Finkbeiner said, adding praise for Haugen's effort to lock in a basic budget.

"I really admire what she's done," Finkbeiner said. "We're taking some big steps."

However, Finkbeiner said he expects the GOP to push hard for as many new projects -- using existing tax money -- as possible.

Neither Haugen nor Finkbeiner could say which projects might get money, or which key congestion-relief projects are likely to be left out without new tax revenue.

Final decisions won't be made until just before the budget is released, according to Senate staff.

Regional plans

One area where Democrats and Republicans might reach agreement: Gov. Gary Locke's proposal to split the state's highway system into regions.

A regional highway system would allow different regions of the state to put tax questions before voters.

The regions then would keep the tax revenue for local projects that would be managed by the state Department of Transportation.

Another measure calling for the streamlining of permits is getting support, Finkbeiner said.

Even if the Senate agrees to a package of highway improvements, there's no reason to expect a warm reception in the House.

"There never has been. Why would there be this year?" Fisher said.

Fisher said the House is preparing its own transportation budget, and lawmakers will have to consider the three plans put out by the House, Senate and Locke.

Brad Shannon, political editor for The Olympian, can be reached at 753-1688 and at shannonbrad@hotmail.com.

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