Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 1, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke calls on Pierce County business leaders to support transportation plan

PUYALLUP - Saying the state's transportation system is in crisis, Gov. Gary Locke today urged Pierce County business leaders to help enact meaningful traffic relief.

Locke discussed his 10-year, $17.2 billion transportation proposal in an address to the Puyallup Chamber of Commerce.

Before talking to the Puyallup Chamber about his transportation proposal, Locke addressed the Bush Administration's recent decision not to impose temporary price caps on energy.

"We simply cannot dig, drill, burn and pollute our way to energy security," the governor stated. "This is not just a California problem. It is a national problem that requires real and immediate action."

"I disagree with the Bush Administration's argument that temporary price caps would cause higher energy prices," Locke added. "Temporary short-term price caps would immediately bring down the unjustified prices that some independent power producers are demanding at the expense of our nation's prosperity."

Referring to transportation, Locke called on Pierce County business leaders to support his transportation proposal to fix the state's traffic mess.

"I need to enlist you - the business leaders of Pierce County - to help us enact meaningful traffic relief," Locke said. "I want each of you to identify five state legislators and make time to contact them. The future of this state depends on transportation. We can't afford to delay any longer."

The governor said that his transportation priorities for Pierce County include:

Building a new Route 167 corridor-connector from Puyallup to Interstate 5 at Fife

Completing HOV lanes on I-5 to Tacoma, south of Route 16

Adding new lanes to Route 161 near Milton

Extending the HOV lanes on Route 167 south of Auburn

Building additional lanes on Route 410 near Buckley

To pay for the package, the governor proposed a 50 percent gross weight surcharge for trucks and a two percent sales and use tax increase for new and used vehicles. The package, which is contingent upon voter approval, also calls for a 4-cent increase in gas taxes in January 2002 and a 3-cent tax increase in 2004.

The governor's transportation plan would give metropolitan-area counties the ability to form transportation regions. In those regions where local option revenue sources - subject to approval by voters in the regions - would pay for regional highway improvements critical to those areas.

"A partnership of state and regional investment is the smart and fair way of breaking out of gridlock while we improve the whole state transportation system," the governor added.

Locke also urged the Legislature to act on all 18 transportation efficiency reforms recommended by the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation.

"After a regular and a special session they have only passed three efficiency bills. Three out of 18 is unacceptable," the governor stated. "The Legislature simply must finish its work."

» Return to this month's News Releases

» View News Release Archive