Initiative filed for new vote on light rail Cost overruns given as reason for referendum on system plagued by criticism Thursday, February 8, 2001 By CHRIS McGANN SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER Voters may get another say on Sound Transit's planned light-rail system, deciding whether to proceed in light of a $1.2 billion increase in cost estimates and a completion date pushed back by three years. Christopher Clifford, a Seattle businessman and activist, yesterday filed an initiative designed to force another public vote. He plans a statewide campaign for the initiative. The initiative would apply not just to Sound Transit but any regional transit authority project with similar problems. It would mandate that projects be resubmitted to the voters within that transit authority's boundaries under the following circumstances: The cost increases by more than 30 percent. The project is delayed by more than 24 months. Any portion or element of the original proposition is eliminated. Clifford said the initiative is identical to a bill sponsored by Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn. He said the bill stalled because the Legislature's transportation committee leaders refused to give it a hearing. Roach said, "(Sound Transit) should get consensus for its project from the people who are paying for it." Clifford called "outrageous" the recent Sound Transit rail cost increase from $2.4 billion to $3.6 billion and delay in completion from 2006 to 2009. He said his initiative would make sure the project still is what the people want. House Transportation Committee Chairwoman Ruth Fisher, D-Tacoma, said she's refusing to hear bills requiring public votes for Sound Transit because "it's a local issue." She added, "I think (this initiative) is foolish. Sound Transit can put itself and its credibility back together and they need time to do that." Joni Earl, Sound Transit's interim director, said she hadn't reviewed the initiative. "Our job right now is focusing our energies on delivering what the voters have asked us to do," she said. Supporters must gather the signatures of at least 197,734 registered voters before July 6 to get the measure on the Nov. 6 ballot. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the way, wasn't Ruth Fisher supposed to resign in disgust when I-695 passed?

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), February 08, 2001

Answers

Ruth Fisher.......... one in a series of politician liars of the last eight years. At least she doesn't want us to pay $800,000 a year for office space for her in retirement. (On seccond thought, she probably does, but unlike the ex-Prez, has no chance of carrying it off)

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), February 08, 2001.