Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 27, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The governor invited legislators and transportation advocates to join him for the bill-signing ceremony on a cold and windy highway construction site beside State Route 16.
State Reps. Ruth Fisher, Maryann Mitchell and Mike Cooper, Sens. Mary Margaret Haugen and Tracey Eide, state Department of Transportation representatives Paula Hammond and Randall Hain, and G.S. “Duke” Schaub and Roland Dewhurst of the Associated General Contractors were among the event participants.
The Legislature passed the statewide revenue package with wide bipartisan support. It includes $7.7 billion in highway projects, ferry vessels, transit and rail services, freight mobility projects and other transportation improvements across the state. The statewide transportation package will be presented to voters on the November ballot.
“We are here today to sign three bills, the first is Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6347, which is the new transportation budget and expenditure plan,” Locke said. “In essence, this bill is the blueprint for our future. This bill specifies the projects and improvements that will be made if the voters approve the financing plan in November. Taxpayers will know exactly what transportation projects their tax dollars are buying.”
Locke acknowledged the tireless efforts of key legislators and transportation leaders including state Reps. Ruth Fisher and Maryann Mitchell and state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen.
“Transportation issues in the Legislature are controlled by a grove of steel magnolias: Ruth Fisher, Mary Margaret Haugen and Maryann Mitchell,” Locke said. “Thank you for your tremendous leadership and commitment to the state. I look forward to seeing you on the referendum trail.
“There are many who worked very hard to make this bill a reality,” Locke added. “I want to thank our state legislators for their hard work and dedication. And I’d like to thank the many business, labor and transportation advocates here today,” the governor said. “You all helped us get this far and we’ll be looking for your help in the very near future as well.”
The Washington Competitiveness Council cited the transportation system as the state’s most important investment.
“We simply must improve our ability to move people and products,” the governor said. “This package is a win for the people of Washington and, make no mistake, I intend to campaign vigorously for it. I’m pleased that former Senator Slade Gorton has agreed to co-chair the campaign.”
Locke signed Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2969, relating to transportation improvement and financing. The bill tightens transportation accountability by creating a Transportation Accountability Board and strengthening the renamed Legislative Transportation Accountability Committee. The two entities will work within the existing governance structure to ensure the best possible project delivery performance.
The governor also reestablished the Commute Trip Reduction tax credit by signing Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6008.
“There is no question that we must expand our highway and transportation system,” Locke said. “But, we should also employ smart efficiencies that help us use what we already have better. The CTR program does that by providing employees with transportation options that cut the number of commuting vehicles by almost 20,000 every day.”
The governor said the three bills are part of a much larger transformation of the state’s transportation system, citing far-reaching transportation reforms within the past 12 months, including:
Locke called it a “transportation transformation,” noting that much of it is subject to voter approval.
“In November, voters in our state will face the single-most important question in generations,” the governor said. “Will we invest in our future or lose jobs and economic competitiveness? Will existing businesses grow and expand here and provide jobs for our kids and our grandkids? Will we continue to be stuck in traffic, losing money and losing valuable time we could be spending with our families?
“We now have a blueprint for a future full of jobs and a better quality of life. Ladies and gentleman: Let’s build that better future.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Legislature
- Bill Information
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Rep. Ruth Fisher (D-27)
- Rep. Maryann Mitchell (R-30)
- Rep. Mike Cooper (D-21)
- Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10)
- Washington Competitiveness Council
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 27, 2002
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Locke signs statewide transportation improvement bills
TACOMA — Gov. Gary Locke today signed into law three transportation bills that authorize new transportation revenues and bonds, establish accountability boards, encourage commuting and designate projects to be included in this fall’s transportation referendum.The governor invited legislators and transportation advocates to join him for the bill-signing ceremony on a cold and windy highway construction site beside State Route 16.
State Reps. Ruth Fisher, Maryann Mitchell and Mike Cooper, Sens. Mary Margaret Haugen and Tracey Eide, state Department of Transportation representatives Paula Hammond and Randall Hain, and G.S. “Duke” Schaub and Roland Dewhurst of the Associated General Contractors were among the event participants.
The Legislature passed the statewide revenue package with wide bipartisan support. It includes $7.7 billion in highway projects, ferry vessels, transit and rail services, freight mobility projects and other transportation improvements across the state. The statewide transportation package will be presented to voters on the November ballot.
“We are here today to sign three bills, the first is Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6347, which is the new transportation budget and expenditure plan,” Locke said. “In essence, this bill is the blueprint for our future. This bill specifies the projects and improvements that will be made if the voters approve the financing plan in November. Taxpayers will know exactly what transportation projects their tax dollars are buying.”
Locke acknowledged the tireless efforts of key legislators and transportation leaders including state Reps. Ruth Fisher and Maryann Mitchell and state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen.
“Transportation issues in the Legislature are controlled by a grove of steel magnolias: Ruth Fisher, Mary Margaret Haugen and Maryann Mitchell,” Locke said. “Thank you for your tremendous leadership and commitment to the state. I look forward to seeing you on the referendum trail.
“There are many who worked very hard to make this bill a reality,” Locke added. “I want to thank our state legislators for their hard work and dedication. And I’d like to thank the many business, labor and transportation advocates here today,” the governor said. “You all helped us get this far and we’ll be looking for your help in the very near future as well.”
The Washington Competitiveness Council cited the transportation system as the state’s most important investment.
“We simply must improve our ability to move people and products,” the governor said. “This package is a win for the people of Washington and, make no mistake, I intend to campaign vigorously for it. I’m pleased that former Senator Slade Gorton has agreed to co-chair the campaign.”
Locke signed Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2969, relating to transportation improvement and financing. The bill tightens transportation accountability by creating a Transportation Accountability Board and strengthening the renamed Legislative Transportation Accountability Committee. The two entities will work within the existing governance structure to ensure the best possible project delivery performance.
The governor also reestablished the Commute Trip Reduction tax credit by signing Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill No. 6008.
“There is no question that we must expand our highway and transportation system,” Locke said. “But, we should also employ smart efficiencies that help us use what we already have better. The CTR program does that by providing employees with transportation options that cut the number of commuting vehicles by almost 20,000 every day.”
The governor said the three bills are part of a much larger transformation of the state’s transportation system, citing far-reaching transportation reforms within the past 12 months, including:
- Environmental permit streamlining
- Design-build contracting and procurement reform
- Contracting out design and engineering for construction services
- Performance benchmarks and other new accountability measures
- Project lists tied directly to new revenues
- Empowering regions to partner with the state and federal governments to speed up critical regional transportation projects
- Financing and approval to build a new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.
Locke called it a “transportation transformation,” noting that much of it is subject to voter approval.
“In November, voters in our state will face the single-most important question in generations,” the governor said. “Will we invest in our future or lose jobs and economic competitiveness? Will existing businesses grow and expand here and provide jobs for our kids and our grandkids? Will we continue to be stuck in traffic, losing money and losing valuable time we could be spending with our families?
“We now have a blueprint for a future full of jobs and a better quality of life. Ladies and gentleman: Let’s build that better future.”
Related Links:
- Washington State Legislature
- Bill Information
- Washington State Department of Transportation
- Rep. Ruth Fisher (D-27)
- Rep. Maryann Mitchell (R-30)
- Rep. Mike Cooper (D-21)
- Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen (D-10)
- Washington Competitiveness Council
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