d keeps telling us this is not about transit or other items, merely a 2% cut without any direction as to where to take it. The transportation department keeps telling the public that it is an arrow aimed at their heart. Who's fibbing, d? Or our transportation bureaucracy? Now d and I have certainly had our differences, but our transportation bureaucracy is sounding too hysterical to be truthful. A difficult call, probably somewhere in between. If I had to make a choice (a Hob's choice, as it were), I'd probably trust d more. Nonetheless, here' the other side:

I-695's toll on transportation listed Big problems seen, but backers cry foul Thursday, October 21, 1999 By HUNTER T. GEORGE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS OLYMPIA -- State transportation officials, in full doom-and-gloom mode, have released lists of programs that likely would be cut if voters approve a reduction in automobile taxes -- and the Legislature does nothing to plug the revenue shortfall. If Initiative 695 is approved Nov. 2, hundreds of highway projects to begin in the next 18 months will not get started, while the ferry system might have to cut all passenger-only service and reduce other runs. Public transit likely would be decimated, they said.

http://www.seattle-pi.com/local/hway21.shtml

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crosswinds.net), October 21, 1999

Answers

Craig:

If the legislature does not act, and "likely" to be "decimated". Thats all true, as far as it goes. As I have stated repeatedly, the initiative is not about programs and priorities; and those programs currently funded by the MVET may be funded by the state from other sources and other program cuts, after a reprioritization. Immediate impacts, and the process that would be required to make the evaluation of priorities, would lead to the conclusion that the current MVET funded programs may be cut substantially in the short term. I don't think they should be cut, and I hope that the state can act fast enough to prevent it, but the legislature is not even scheduled to meet until after the initiative is to go into effect.

My first choice is that the voters realize this is poorly written, and does not deserve approval, and let the legislature reform the MVET.

My second choice is that most or all of it is tied up in court and eventually ruled unconstitutional, and (again) the legislature reform the MVET. Even if most of it is aproved, that may give the state time to consider an appropriate prioritization, with citizen input.

The worst possible outcome is that it is approved and allowed to go into effect on 1/1/2000.

P.S. I appreciate the (qualified) "trust". I suspect that some local governments don't trust the state very much either, which leads them to expect they may not get the help they know they will need if 695 is approved.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 21, 1999.

Yes, I read the article in the P-I concerning road construction which would not occur. So far, the DOT is acting responsibly. All of the projects listed can easily be delayed for another year or two, until voters decide if they want to fund them.

Interestingly, one of the projects is the construction of carpool lanes from Tacoma to Tukwila. I carpool everyday from Tacoma to Tukwila, and I would not put the project at the top of my list. I would recommend the construction of a new Interstate, connecting Hwy 18 to Hwy 512. We could call the roadway, I-695!!!!!!

I was disappointed to see that infrastructure development in support of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge was not on the list of projects to be cancelled. For those who love ferries and mass transit, there's 50 million dollars available. Contact your representatives now. Tell them to eliminate the funding for the Narrows Bridge and save the ferries!!!

-- Matthew M. Warren (mattinsky@msn.com), October 22, 1999.

Matt:

So you oppose the Tacoma Narrrows bridge, and would support funding for the ferries and mass transit? Craig Carson seems to be for cuts of the ferry and transit programs. This is an example of the fact that 695 does nothing to change programs and priorities. It does not address any of these issues. 685 leaves these decisions exactly where they would be without 695, and the expectation of specific program cuts provides no basis for a vote on the initiative. It is just as likely that the ferry system and mass transit will be cut to construct the bridge, or that non-transportation programs will be cut to fund all three.

-- dbvz (dbvz@wa.freei.net), October 22, 1999.