5 Democratic Senators Side with Republicans Against Sound Transit
Sen. Bob Hasegawa
Five Democratic Senators, including Bob Hasegawa (who represents parts of Renton, Tukwila, and Sodo), yesterday teamed up with all 24 Republicans to pass SSB5001, which would govern Sound Transit with an elected board. Mr. Hasegawa apparently thinks that this Republican plan is inspired by a better way to get high-quality transit, or perhaps he doesn't care about high-quality transit. Because his new comrades are tweeting stuff like this:
Sen. O'Ban warns without elections Sound Transit could spend and tax forever. https://t.co/AFrc90EXDG
- Senate Republicans (@WashingtonSRC) March 2, 2017
Car Tab sticker shock builds momentum for O'Ban bill on Sound Transit accountability. #waleg https://t.co/nH6Lhrj4tk
- Senate Republicans (@WashingtonSRC) March 2, 2017
The TNT has the goods on their agenda:
During Wednesday's floor debate, Senate Majority Leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, hinted that lawmakers may consider additional ways of reforming Sound Transit in the coming weeks. Schoesler said by passing O'Ban's bill, the Senate was "off to a good start - but only a start."
Republican lawmakers, who control the Senate with the aid of one conservative Democrat who caucuses with them, have proposed other bills to change how Sound Transit operates, including letting jurisdictions release their voters from paying Sound Transit 3 taxes and reforming how Sound Transit assesses vehicle values to determine car-tab fees.
The other four Democratic Senators are Guy Palumbo (1st District), Jeannie Darneille (27th), Steve Conway (29th), and Tim Sheldon (35th). Mr. Sheldon famously caucuses with the Republicans, so he isn't a surprise.
The action now moves to the House, where the Democratic majority is small and even some Seattle legislators are in favor. Let your representative know you're watching.
This bill is a transparent attempt to override the will of the voters in approving Sound Transit 3 by adding yet more veto points to the process. For more on why this bill is a terrible idea for anyone who wants an escape from traffic, you can read this, this, or this.