Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 27, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
“Together, we have done what many thought to be impossible,” Locke said. “I vowed at the start of this session that we would pass new funding for transportation improvements. And we did.”
“We focused on safety improvements; reducing traffic congestion; transit; passenger rail; and projects ready to go,” Locke said. “This transportation-improvement plan will create thousands of family-wage jobs when our state needs them the most.”
Locke praised the strong bipartisan support for the transportation-improvement plan. The much-needed plan was agreed upon on the eve of the final day of the 2003 legislative session.
Senate Majority Leader Jim West, R-Spokane, and House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, joined the governor at today’s news conference along with Sen. Jim Horn, R-Mercer Island, chair of the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee; Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, chair of the House Transportation Committee; Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, ranking Democrat on the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee; House Majority Leader Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam; Senate Minority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; House Minority Leader Cathy McMorris, R-Colville; Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland; and Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester. Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald also attended. The governor also acknowledged Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Bellingham, ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee, who was not able to attend the news conference.
“This is a balanced package that will make our roads safer, help alleviate congestion and provide support for alternative forms of transportation, such as buses,” Murray said. “And it targets projects that are ready to start, so we can begin work almost immediately.”
“This transportation package is different than any plan we’ve had before because it is project-driven,” Horn said. “We’re sending a message with this transportation budget that we’re doing things differently than in past years. It’s different than R-51; it will help improve our quality of life; and it will do something positive for Washington’s economic climate.”
Haugen said, “This is truly a jobs program. We need to put people to work and move our economy forward, and the projects in this plan will create family-wage jobs all across the state that can start this summer.”
Boeing, which is in the process of determining where to build its next jet, the 7E7, said the transportation package helps improve the state’s competitiveness.
“Passing this transportation package is a very positive development and demonstrates our Legislature and state leaders’ commitment to working together to improve Washington state’s business competitiveness,” said Susan Bradley, Boeing spokesperson. “We appreciate the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into these deliberations, and we see the outcome as an important step in achieving the vision we all share for Washington.”
The governor spent considerable time throughout the session – especially during the last month – working with legislative leaders to reach a compromise transportation agreement. These efforts included holding weekly meetings with transportation leadership since the beginning of session in January. Locke even called an all-night meeting in his office to help bring the parties together. That meeting lasted nearly seven hours, ending at 3 a.m.
The new package calls for a five-cent gas tax and a 0.3 percent sales tax surcharge on motor vehicles. Together, the agreement raises $4.2 billion in transportation funding and creates thousands of family-wage jobs.
“This is a great day for our state, the traveling public, our employers, our families and our economy. After many detours, dead-ends and roadblocks, we are now in the express lanes to a brighter future for our state,” Locke said.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 27, 2003
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Gov. Locke, Legislative Leaders Praise Bipartisan Support for Transportation-Improvement Plan
OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke today joined House and Senate legislative leaders to celebrate the passage of a statewide transportation-improvement plan that will make roads safer, alleviate congestion and put thousands of people to work.“Together, we have done what many thought to be impossible,” Locke said. “I vowed at the start of this session that we would pass new funding for transportation improvements. And we did.”
“We focused on safety improvements; reducing traffic congestion; transit; passenger rail; and projects ready to go,” Locke said. “This transportation-improvement plan will create thousands of family-wage jobs when our state needs them the most.”
Locke praised the strong bipartisan support for the transportation-improvement plan. The much-needed plan was agreed upon on the eve of the final day of the 2003 legislative session.
Senate Majority Leader Jim West, R-Spokane, and House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, joined the governor at today’s news conference along with Sen. Jim Horn, R-Mercer Island, chair of the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee; Rep. Ed Murray, D-Seattle, chair of the House Transportation Committee; Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, ranking Democrat on the Senate Highways & Transportation Committee; House Majority Leader Rep. Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam; Senate Minority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane; House Minority Leader Cathy McMorris, R-Colville; Sen. Bill Finkbeiner, R-Kirkland; and Sen. Dan Swecker, R-Rochester. Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald also attended. The governor also acknowledged Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Bellingham, ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee, who was not able to attend the news conference.
“This is a balanced package that will make our roads safer, help alleviate congestion and provide support for alternative forms of transportation, such as buses,” Murray said. “And it targets projects that are ready to start, so we can begin work almost immediately.”
“This transportation package is different than any plan we’ve had before because it is project-driven,” Horn said. “We’re sending a message with this transportation budget that we’re doing things differently than in past years. It’s different than R-51; it will help improve our quality of life; and it will do something positive for Washington’s economic climate.”
Haugen said, “This is truly a jobs program. We need to put people to work and move our economy forward, and the projects in this plan will create family-wage jobs all across the state that can start this summer.”
Boeing, which is in the process of determining where to build its next jet, the 7E7, said the transportation package helps improve the state’s competitiveness.
“Passing this transportation package is a very positive development and demonstrates our Legislature and state leaders’ commitment to working together to improve Washington state’s business competitiveness,” said Susan Bradley, Boeing spokesperson. “We appreciate the hard work and thoughtful consideration that went into these deliberations, and we see the outcome as an important step in achieving the vision we all share for Washington.”
The governor spent considerable time throughout the session – especially during the last month – working with legislative leaders to reach a compromise transportation agreement. These efforts included holding weekly meetings with transportation leadership since the beginning of session in January. Locke even called an all-night meeting in his office to help bring the parties together. That meeting lasted nearly seven hours, ending at 3 a.m.
The new package calls for a five-cent gas tax and a 0.3 percent sales tax surcharge on motor vehicles. Together, the agreement raises $4.2 billion in transportation funding and creates thousands of family-wage jobs.
“This is a great day for our state, the traveling public, our employers, our families and our economy. After many detours, dead-ends and roadblocks, we are now in the express lanes to a brighter future for our state,” Locke said.
| » Return to this month's News Releases |
| » View News Release Archive |
Home
Governor Locke
- About the Governor
- Cabinet
- Senior Staff
- Executive Orders
- Proclamations
- Boards and Commissions
- Contact the Governor
The First Lady
News Room
About Washington
- Washington State Facts
- Photo Gallery
- The 50 State QuartersTM Program
- State Legislature
- Washington Courts
- US Census 2000
- Register to Vote
Contact Us
Search
