Locke pitches gas plan in Eastern Washington

OLYMPIAN STAFF AND WIRE

Originally published Thursday, February 7, 2002

Drivers living east of the Cascades who are worried about parity in the governor's proposed 9-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax for transportation might think about this:

The west side of the state subsidizes the transportation budget for counties east of the Cascade Range.

"We collect about 18 percent of the revenue and spend about 22 percent," said Don Whitehouse, regional administrator for the state Department of Transportation.

Gov. Gary Locke and Whitehouse had a news conference Wednesday in Yakima to promote the governor's transportation plan, which would raise the existing 23-cents-a-gallon gas tax to 32 cents over three years.

The House and Senate have been wrangling over details of a statewide plan that would get the state's transportation systems working more efficiently. Each branch has approved a regional financing plan for highway projects that would take effect only if lawmakers and voters approved new taxes for transportation statewide.

The gas tax very likely will end up going to a public vote, although Locke hopes otherwise.

"I believe the Legislature ought to vote for it in Olympia," Locke said. "That's our responsibility."

While much of the interest has been in trying to moderate traffic jams in Puget Sound, Eastern Washington also would get some public-works improvements.

"We all benefit," Locke said, touting an expanded interchange at Interstate 82 and state Route 24, and a new bridge over the Yakima River. "This roadway ... and improvements are absolutely vital to the Yakima Valley," Locke said.

Boosting the economy

Better roads means more efficiency for businesses, safer highways and new jobs, he said.

The state has $2.9 million for the interchange project, but it needs $24 million, Whitehouse said.

Locke, business and labor officials, and most legislators seem to agree that the best fix for the state's economy is road work. The dispute arises over how to do it and how to pay for it.

The regional plan would let counties, either singly or as blocs, ask voters to provide supplemental financing for major transportation projects in their areas.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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