Proposition 1 - regionally known as the "Roads and Rails Plan" - was resoundingly rejected by voters in Pierce, King and Snohomish Counties. The plan was massive and would have provided money - through taxation - for road projects in three counties plus light rail to Lynnwood, Redmond, and Tacoma.
But the public message back to the State was, "it asked for too much at once, and asked for more when Sound Transit hasn't even finished the first segment of light rail yet."
For the record, I voted yes on Proposition 1. I saw it as a bittersweet opportunity to move forward in our efforts to get around the Puget Sound region more easily. But most voters disagreed in more ways than one. Overall they sent a message larger than just this measure; if you look at how people voted on other ballot items, the voting trend we saw on Tuesday said, "Use the money we've already given you, and keep your hands off our wallets." Not only did the public say no to several tax measures, but they also made it harder for the lawmakers to raise taxes without public input. There was a tightening of belts region-wide.
Danny Westneat from the Seattle Times had a decent editorial on the subject, saying we need to look at our transportation issues in smaller doses. "But big new stuff?" he asks. "Forget it. It costs too much. And there's too little trust." That lack of trust appears to come from the notion that Olympia is not wisely using what is already given to them.
So what happens now? Olympia has said they will look to other funding for vital projects, and we may see a gas tax increase (for which I'm not surprised). Eastside developers will continue developing along the proposed light rail corridor despite this vote. This also may put the Woodinville Subdivision back in play, as a way to get transit to the Eastside without spending on a entirely new line.
Although I voted yes for Prop 1, I am now breathing a sigh of relief that lawmakers have to go back and try again.
But the public message back to the State was, "it asked for too much at once, and asked for more when Sound Transit hasn't even finished the first segment of light rail yet."
For the record, I voted yes on Proposition 1. I saw it as a bittersweet opportunity to move forward in our efforts to get around the Puget Sound region more easily. But most voters disagreed in more ways than one. Overall they sent a message larger than just this measure; if you look at how people voted on other ballot items, the voting trend we saw on Tuesday said, "Use the money we've already given you, and keep your hands off our wallets." Not only did the public say no to several tax measures, but they also made it harder for the lawmakers to raise taxes without public input. There was a tightening of belts region-wide.
Danny Westneat from the Seattle Times had a decent editorial on the subject, saying we need to look at our transportation issues in smaller doses. "But big new stuff?" he asks. "Forget it. It costs too much. And there's too little trust." That lack of trust appears to come from the notion that Olympia is not wisely using what is already given to them.
So what happens now? Olympia has said they will look to other funding for vital projects, and we may see a gas tax increase (for which I'm not surprised). Eastside developers will continue developing along the proposed light rail corridor despite this vote. This also may put the Woodinville Subdivision back in play, as a way to get transit to the Eastside without spending on a entirely new line.
Although I voted yes for Prop 1, I am now breathing a sigh of relief that lawmakers have to go back and try again.
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