| Transportation Budget |
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Prior to adjournment, the House and Senate passed a transportation budget that is largely considered a status quo budget with much of the funding going to finishing projects already started. The SR 520 Bridge receives $926 million and the Alaska Way Viaduct receives $895 million. Tacoma area HOV lanes will also receive $300 million. State ferries will also have full funding for the biennium to maintain current operations plus completion of two new 144-car ferries currently under construction. An additional 144-car ferry is under consideration if additional funding is passed.
The biggest sticking point in the transportation budget continues to be the proposed Columbia River Crossing Project. The budget that was passed assumes $82 million in planning money for a replacement bridge over Interstate 5, but only $1.3 million of that money would come from Washington state gas tax dollars. The rest of the money is either project funds from Oregon or the Federal Government. The Majority Coalition Caucus is opposed to the Columbia River Crossing in its current form; citing concerns about the height of the proposed replacement bridge and the dedication of lanes for light rail.
The Governor and House Democrats are pushing an $8.5 billion, 12-year package that would include a 10-cent hike in the gas tax. The House transportation revenue proposal was not brought up for a vote during the regular session, but they would like to see this issue taken up during the special session. If passed, the revenue package will provide one-half cent in additional fuel tax revenue for counties along with local funding options for transit agencies and transportation benefit districts. Senate Republicans have insisted that voters should get the final say on a revenue package relying on tax hikes.
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Additional Policy Bills; DUI
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The Governor also stated that the Legislature should address some policy issues that did not pass during the regular session, including increasing penalties for DUI, new rules related to abortion insurance, and laws to address gun violence.
DUI legislation appears to be the only unresolved policy issue that is receiving widespread bipartisan interest. Rep. Goodman, the prime sponsor of the House DUI bill, has stated that he is confident the Legislature will approve an overhaul of drunk driving laws during the special session.
The bill has several components that would increase cost to local government. Including requiring offenders, upon arrest, to remain in jail until they see a judge. Once released, the offender would be required to install an ignition-interlock device and certify it to the court within five days. The bill also increases jail time for second and third offenses and makes a fourth DUI conviction a felony, rather than the fifth under current law.
Securing the funding appears to be a significant barrier to the bill, and will increase the pressure on the Legislature to shift costs to the locals in order to pass a meaningful policy bill.
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