From the Bremerton Sun (http://www.thesunlink.com/news/2000/january/0110a1b.html): Kitsap Transit Executive Director Richard Hayes has proposed that his agency take over the passenger-only ferry program and contract with one or more private companies to operate the boats. Such a program needs legislative approval and a state subsidy.

To varying degrees, it's an idea supported by local legislators, and it's caught the attention of Gov. Gary Locke and transportation leaders in the House and Senate.

"Passenger-only ferries will become privatized or public-private," said Senate Transportation chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island. Privatization, she added, "is the wave of the future."

"For us to shut down the passenger-only program is not an economical or wise decision," said Sen. Don Benton, ranking Republican on the Senate Transportation Committee. "Clearly there has to be a move toward privatization."

Benton has introduced a bill to that effect.

While privatizing foot ferries may be a long-term solution, Rep. Beverly Woods, R-Poulsbo, said it may be difficult to forge an acceptable solution in a short session.

"I'd hate to jump into something and immediately turn over the fast passenger-only ferries to private enterprise without thoroughly looking at the ramifications and costs and subsidies needed and thinking it through so it is an effective plan," she said. "I don't think you can do that in a 60-day session."

The governor also opposes dipping into the general fund to help bail out transportation, saying that would threaten education, while Republican lawmakers say general fund savings could and should be used to help pay for highway and ferry projects.

"We've got to find money (in the general fund) to move into transportation to offset the difficult reductions we're facing in transportation, including ferries," said Rep. Tom Huff, R-Gig Harbor, the chief Republican budget writer in the House. "That's the only place you can move it from."

Getting legislators from other areas to understand how important ferries are to the Kitsap Peninsula poses a tough challenge.

"Someone from Spokane is obviously not very interested in in our ferry problems," said Rep. Bill Eickmeyer, D-Belfair.

"People still have a feeling we're talking about a tourist attraction," Betti Sheldon said.

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crosswinds.net), January 10, 2000

Answers

Let's hope so.

Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys. P. J. O'Rourke

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), January 10, 2000.

As a former employee of Mr. Hayes, I have several opinions to offer. If you give that man money, he will spend it and ask you for more. Will he spend it wisely? Better than most. He does run a pretty efficient agency. I have no doubt he could run a foot ferry system more efficiently than WSF. I say, give him the chance.

-- Marsha (acorn_nut@hotmail.com), January 10, 2000.