Lawmakers hope to break transportation gridlock

DAVID AMMONS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OLYMPIA -- Gridlock or the fast lane?

Washington lawmakers, meeting in an unusual summertime special session this week, will once again take up a topic that has eluded solution for 153 days so far: traffic congestion that ranks among the nation's worst.

The price tag could easily top $10 billion or $15 billion in state and regional user taxes, including a 9- or 10-cent bump in the state's gasoline tax over the next three years.

Legislators were unable to agree on a transportation plan in their first three sessions this year, daunted by the prospect of putting their stamp on a revenue package that includes what would be the first big tax increase from the Legislature in eight years, and the first gas-tax vote since 1990.

They also differed over how to approach regional financing of mega-projects, how to fit mass transit into the mix and how to overhaul the state Department of Transportation.

Another big question has been whether lawmakers should approve the statewide portion of the tax package, or place it on the ballot. Gov. Gary Locke originally supported a public vote, but now favors handling the matter in the Legislature.

Though the newest session was called for noon today, only the leadership and transportation negotiators were expected to show up.

"There's no use bringing in the members if there's no reason," said Senate Majority Leader Sid Snyder, D-Long Beach.

The plan is to keep negotiating -- with the help of a professional mediator hired by the governor -- until there is a full package ready for lawmakers to vote on. Members will be kept on a short string and summoned from their home districts when the deals are struck, Snyder says.

Locke has been in a ticklish situation, having called the session without any agreement on a package to vote on. Still, he told reporters Friday, there was no thought of postponing the session.

The deadline helped light a fire under negotiators, and having the session actually under way this week will keep up the pressure, Locke said.

"They are making good progress and there is no need to let up on the momentum or any pressure to finish negotiations," he said.

At week's end, Locke and legislative leaders announced agreement on the regional portion of the package. The plan is to authorize Puget Sound-area counties to select some of their mega-projects, such as Interstate 405, for expediting with locally approved taxes.

Negotiators agreed to allow some transit-related expenses, but no daily transit operations.

If the deal sticks, that still leaves the statewide package to approve. It's expected to include:

-A gas tax increase of 9 or 10 cents, phased in over three years. The discussions are over whether to make it three pennies a year, or to add a fourth cent in the first or third year. Locke's plan was a two-year, 7-cent increase.

-A trucking fee increase. Senators favor a 30 percent boost; some House negotiators prefer 20 percent. Locke's original plan was for a 50 percent increase.

-A sales tax surcharge on new and used cars and trucks. This, too, might be phased in over two years, rising from 1 percent to 1.5 percent or 2 percent.

House Republicans will provide some of the tax votes, but apparently not the 25 votes Democrats have requested, said House Transportation Co-Chairwoman Maryann Mitchell, R-Federal Way.

"We're finally above single digits, and whether it will be 15 or 20, I don't know yet," she said.

The Senate will have bipartisan support for taxes, Snyder said.

Mitchell said House Republicans won't continue to hold out for their original versions of bills -- to change the prevailing-wage laws in rural areas and to turn over more state highway jobs to the private sector.

Democrats have offered two watered-down versions, and "Sometimes you just have to claim victory and move on," Mitchell said. "There's only so much mileage you can get out of a dead horse."

Locke also is calling for a farm-aid package, but hasn't announced details.

Washington's third overtime session

Length: New special session can last as long as 30 days, until Aug. 14, but leaders hope to wrap up in a week. Lawmakers already have met 153 days so far this year. Record was 164 days, in 1977.

Cost: At an estimated $27,000 a day, a full special session would cost $810,000.

To-do list: Statewide and regional transportation plans, new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, and farm aid.

Gas tax: Plan calls for boosting gas tax by 9 or 10 cents over three years, plus a surcharge on new and used cars, and higher trucking fees. Lawmakers also will vote on plan to authorize regional funding of local mega-projects.

Check it off: In the first three sessions, lawmakers approved operating, transportation and construction budgets; a halfway house on McNeil Island for newly released sex predators; ferry fare increases; environmental permit streamlining and design-build authority for transportation projects; and measures dealing with water, energy and elections.

Dead and gone: Lawmakers failed to approve a new primary election system, education accountability, a two-year delay in ergonomics regulations and a plan to exempt most counties from tough new shorelines rules.

On the web:

Gov. Gary Locke.

Washington State Legislature.

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