Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

A well-connected infrastructure not only benefits the driving public, but also encourages new business in Washington, providing jobs and opportunities for economic growth.

Keeping gas tax promises

I want to work to ensure that the state keeps its promise to fund transportation projects across the state. I oppose further delaying projects and siphoning off those funds for mega projects in Seattle. It is vital for our economy to get Washington moving again, and that means completing projects throughout the state as promised.

One way to work more efficiently and be more cost effective for our citizens would be streamlining the permitting process, opening the HOV lanes during non-peak hours and weekends and making congestion relief a higher priority. In 2006, congestion cost the state more than 39 million hours of delay and $624 million.

Proposed solutions that I support:

We should modify transportation policy goals to include congestion relief as a higher priority for state transportation investments.

We should open HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lanes during non-peak hours and weekends.

We should expedite permitting for major projects of $1 billion or more with a six-step process that provides clear deadlines and decisions.

Savings from this legislation could free up billions of dollars that could be pumped back into highway projects across the state.

Frequently asked questions

1. What makes up the price of gas?

In Washington state:

* 65% crude oil cost

* 13% refining cost

* 6% distribution/marketing

* 16% federal, state and local taxes

2. What makes up our gas tax?

The federal excise tax on gas was 18.4 cents per gallon as of June 2008. The state excise tax is 37.5 cents per gallon, the 6th highest in the nation.

3. How is the gas tax distributed?

The following entities receive portions of gas tax revenues:

* State Department of Transportation: 10.21 cents/gallon

* 2005 transportation package projects: 8.5 cents/gallon

* 2003 transportation package projects: 5.0 cents/gallon

* Counties: 4.92 cents/gallon

* Transportation Improvement Board: 3.04 cents/gallon

* Cities: 2.96 cents/gallon

* Ferries: 1.08 cents/gallon

* County Road Administration Board: 1.03 cents/gallon

* Special Category C: 0.75 cents/gallon

Definitions

* tolls: a means of collecting highway user fees by either: an electronic device purchased by drivers and placed in cars, or a roadside toll booth.

"Our Government is in place to protect our rights and freedoms, not to protect us from them."~ Dan Griffey

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