Next Week In Olympia- Week 3

The House and Senate Transportation committees have a lot of new members. Many of the new members are not just new to transportation issues, but new to the legislature as well. The calendars for the first few weeks of session in both of these committees have been filled with worksessions, which continues this week. On Thursday, all of the new members in House Transportation will enjoy a worksession about public transportation. They will hear how plummeting local sales tax revenues have left transit agencies with insufficient funding, forcing service cuts amid record ridership. The committee will hear how the demand for transit by an aging population is growing rapidly, and by 2030 some Washington Counties will have 40% of there population over 65 years old. They will hear about the need for short term transit funding that fills the funding gap until a long-term revenue package comes to fruition. Here is more about the week ahead.

Monday, January 24, 2011

3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session:

1. Introduction to Public-Private Partnerships and Washington State's Program.
2. Public-Private Partnership Case Studies from around the United States and Canada.
3. Update on Transportation Mega-Projects, WSDOT.

3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Public Hearing:

1. SB 5205 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=5205> - Concerning high capacity transportation system plan components and review.

TCC has concerns with this bill. Some rapid bus systems may be appropriate for the planning requirements in this statute. We will work to clarify these circumstances.

2. SB 5252 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=5252> - Streamlining the process applicable to reducing speed limits on state highways.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B

Public Hearing:
1. HB 1217 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=1217> - Authorizing local authorities to establish maximum speed limits on certain nonarterial highways.

3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Work Session:

1. Aviation Division, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).
2. Introduction to Washington ports, Washington Public Ports Association.

Public Hearing:

1. SB 5131 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=5131> - Expanding certain public facilities eligible to be credited against the imposition of impact fees.

TCC supports this bill.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B

Work Session:

1. Freight System: Trade and goods movement through Washington State.
2. Freight Mobility Strategic Investment Board, introduction and update.

3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Public Hearing:

1. SB 5130 <http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2011&bill=5130> - Prohibiting commercial motor vehicles in express lanes during peak hours.


Thursday, January 27, 2011

3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session:

1. Snoqualmie Pass Project briefing.
2. State Route 167/509 Tolling Studies.

3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1

Work Session: Introduction to public transportation:

a. 2010 Statewide Blueprint for Public Transportation.
b. Public Transportation Division, WSDOT.
c. Washington Transit Association.
d. King County Metro-2010 task force.
e. Special needs transportation.
f. Commute Trip Reduction Board.

Friday, January 28, 2011

8:00 am Local Government
House Hearing Rm E

Work Session: The William D. Ruckelshaus Center - Summary and update information from the Agriculture and Critical Areas Project.