Greetings, Seattle Metro Chamber members,
As we continue to advocate for a more competitive, equitable, and resilient regional economy, we’re encouraged by today’s announcement that our state’s House and Senate Transportation Committee chairs have come together on a proposal for a transportation funding package, Move Ahead Washington. Our transportation system can’t wait – we need legislators to act this session and pass this package.
Bold transportation infrastructure and system investments will support job creation and continued economic growth; putting and getting folks to work, moving goods more effectively and efficiently, and ensuring useable mobility options for all.
With just over a month to go in this year’s short legislative session, state lawmakers have an important window of opportunity. This week, the Seattle Metro Chamber will be testifying about the positive difference investments in transportation would make for employees, their families, and our state’s ability to grow our economy in an equitable, inclusive way.
Let’s Finish What We’ve Started and Invest in an Equitable Future
Our state has urgent transportation challenges that must be addressed – including a backlog of maintenance and preservation on highways and bridges, completing projects already underway, inadequate transit investment, an aging ferry fleet, and progress needed on key projects. Further transportation investments are needed to keep our state a competitive place to do business by maintaining a state of good repair, especially for keystone infrastructure in our region like the West Seattle Bridge and I-5.
Move Ahead Washington comes at an especially significant time to maximize resources. The Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides an opportunity to leverage federal dollars for some of our most urgent transportation projects. The Legislature has funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and increased state revenues that can be used to support critical transportation projects. Funds from the Climate Commitment Act can support transportation investments that reduce carbon emissions and air pollution.
The transportation funding proposal also comes at a time when the backstop of state resources is more important than ever.
The state estimates a 10-year, $31 billion gap for public transit and active transportation, which has only been exacerbated during the pandemic, with disproportionate impacts on low-income communities and communities of colour. Ensuring the continuity and completion of our multimodal systems around the state is paramount for our most vulnerable populations and the post-pandemic workforce. State investments in fixed-route transit service to ensure a baseline level of transit for communities across Washington, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and capital needs will be necessary to facilitate a strong economic recovery.
Keeping the Pacific Northwest Competitive for Additional Federal Investment
Move Ahead Washington also supports a key piece of our long-term infrastructure: high-speed rail. For more than five years, a diverse group of stakeholders and the states of Oregon and Washington, along with the Province of British Columbia, have collaborated on a vision of ultra-high-speed ground transportation in the Cascadia region – from Eugene, Oregon, to Vancouver, B.C.
Last May, I testified in the U.S. House Subcommittee for Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials regarding the opportunity and benefits of the proposed Cascadia ultra-high-speed line.
This proposal has broad support: more than 40 businesses, labour and community organizations, and elected officials urged Washington’s congressional delegation to support federal recognition and funding for the Cascadia Ultra-High-Speed Ground Transportation project. Supporters also encouraged the Washington State Legislature to include funding for the project in a new transportation revenue package, a call reinforced by Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland’s op-ed in today’s edition of The News Tribune.
Our coalition’s work is making a difference: Move Ahead Washington builds on Gov. Jay Inslee’s 2021-23 supplemental budget request for $4 million in funding to begin the project initiation and development work, and $50 million to provide a state match to position Washington to successfully apply for federal funding. We strongly support Move Ahead Washington’s inclusion of $50 million in each of the next three biennials for this project and urge lawmakers to pass a final package that keeps us competitive for federal funding.
Let’s Keep Up the Momentum
We urge legislative leaders to come together and work toward passage of Move Ahead Washington. Now is the time to invest in an equitable, accessible, affordable, and resilient transportation system that creates jobs, addresses infrastructure needs, and sets us up for future success as a competitive place to locate business. I’ll be testifying in support of Move Ahead Washington this Thursday – and it’s critical that legislators hear from you, too.
Always your transportation advocate,
Rachel
Rachel Smith
President and CEO
Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce