There is great news out of Olympia this week, HB 1536, the emergency transit funding bill sponsored by Rep. Liias, passed the first hurdle in order to move along in the legislative session. This bill will help our largest transit agencies whether the next few years of the economic downturn, and avoid further cuts to service until a long-term and sustainable funding mechanism for transit is implemented.
Next week, there are a few important bill hearings. On Monday there is a bill (SB 5541) that would exempt UW from parking taxes. The City of Seattle is very concerned that this bill would take millions from their general fund which would undermine funding for the central seawall replacement project along with bicycle and pedestrian projects.
On Tuesday, there are hearings on two of TCC’s prioritiy bills. One bill would facilitate mileage based insurance in Washington (SB 5730). The Natural Resources Defense Council and Sightline have written about the bill. Also there is a hearing on a bill (HB 1700) that will make it easier for local governments to build safe streets for cyclists and pedestrians by giving them more flexibility.
On Wednesday there is a hearing on a bill (PSSB 5416)that would try to ensure that toll revenue would go to repayment of bonds, toll enforcement, and road maintenance, before it would go towards any other use. TCC believes toll revenue should be used for multiple uses of the road, including public transportation. We do not wan to limit this opportunity in statute. Tolling and public transit are both part of the solution, and should be go hand in hand.
Here is the full schedule of transportation related bills:
Monday, February 14, 2011
3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session:
Environmental permit streamlining.
Fish passage barriers.
3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Public Hearing:
SB 5541 - Concerning regional mobility grants and tax incentives for improving transportation connectivity and efficiency.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
10 AM Senate Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance*
Senate Hearing Rm 2
Public Hearing: SB 5730 - Authorizing mileage-based automobile insurance.
3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session: Transit service corridor overlay zone, King County.
Public Hearing: HB 1700 - Modifying the requirements related to designing various transportation projects.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session: Stormwater and transportation.
Department of Ecology.
Department of Transportation.
Public Hearing:
HB 1747 - Concerning statewide transportation planning.
HB 1887 - Concerning certain toll facilities.
3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Work Session: SR 405 Express Toll Lanes, Washington State Department of Transportation.
Public Hearing:
SB 5416 - Addressing the use of toll revenue from eligible toll facilities. (Hearing is on the Proposed Substitute).
SB 5490 - Concerning the use of express toll lanes in the eastside corridor.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
3:30 pm House Transportation
House Hearing Rm B
Work Session: Ferry rider survey, Washington Transportation Commission.
3:30 pm Senate Transportation
Senate Hearing Rm 1
Work Session:
Update on Washington State Ferries new vessel construction.
Ferry Rider Opinion Survey Final Report, Washington Transportation Commission.
Public Hearing:
SB 5742 - Concerning the administration and distribution of Washington state ferry system revenue.
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