Our decision to support Proposition 1 comes after significant study and deliberation on this issue and review of League positions. We have weighed those positions and conclude this plan, developed through an interdisciplinary approach to comprehensive planning, is a viable compromise between conflicting approaches to serious regional problems.
Over many years, the League of Women Voters has studied transportation and its relationship to land use, energy, air and water quality. Based on those studies, the League supports a balanced transportation policy that includes increases in funding to provide adequate revenue and flexibility for a multi-modal system of transportation. We also support initiatives to reduce emissions of heat trapping gases and thus reduce the threat of global climate change. We believe that the Roads and Transit package proposed by the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) and Sound Transit (ST) meets these League of Women Voters of Washingon positions:
- The projects would help to develop a balanced and seamless transportation system.
- The projects would aid in the efficient, economical movement of both people and freight.
- The projects in the Sound Transit portion of the package would help to promote development in urban centers, manage and reduce single occupant vehicle use on highways and shift solo trips to alternative modes.
- The projects would help respond to the expected growth in population, jobs and resultant requirements for regional housing density.
We support this proposition with some reservations. We must consider the impacts of an increased sales tax on those least able to pay and consider options such as reduced fare programs and other alternative funding options when possible. We must continue identifying options to encourage alternate transportation and mass transit use.
Finally, if the voters pass the proposed regional package, there must be continuing effective citizen participation so that the projects go forward in ways that don’t harm community livability and character, cause adverse environmental or freight mobility impacts, or increase energy consumption.
Denise D. Smith, President LWV Seattle
Lyz Kurnitz, President LWV Tacoma Pierce County
Margaret Johnson, President LWV Snohomish County
Becky Cox, President LWV King County South