tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311425.post112846775534134002..comments2024-03-27T00:13:35.570-07:00Comments on Editorials from Theslowlane: Another Reason To Vote NO on Washington State Initiative 912Theslowlane Robert Ashworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10082164332880198884noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5311425.post-1129577453295706432005-10-17T12:30:00.000-07:002005-10-17T12:30:00.000-07:00This gas tax increase is not funding for a balance...This gas tax increase is not funding for a balanced system of roads and transit, it is almost entirely about roads with a few transit projects thrown in for window dressing.<BR/><BR/>The problem with the entire debate over the gas tax increase and I-912 is that it is only a yes/no vote on the entire package. If we could get rid of the truly awful ways to spend public money, and keep the rest, that would be great. However, I think we need to vote for I-912 and trust that the legislature will figure out a way to actually fund the safety issues and abandon idiotic ideas like replacing the Alaska Way Viaduct and expanding freeway capacity throughout western Washington. The Alaska Way Viaduct should be removed completely, not replaced or buried.<BR/><BR/>The money is grouped into projects as follows (numbers from WSDOT, comments are my own):<BR/><BR/>Roadway Safety: $3.257 billion - includes partial funding for AWV replacement and SR-520 expansion, which are both collosal wastes of money. Assuming everything else is actually for safety projects, $757 million of this is spending I can support.<BR/>Preservation: $0.5 million<BR/>Ferries: $185 million - none of this is for passenger ferries, which is a mistake<BR/>Multi-Modal Improvements: $85 million - grossly underfunded<BR/>Environmental: $108 million - sound walls and the like. Might not all be necessary if we took actions to cut automobile dependancy<BR/>Freight Mobility & Economics: $541 million<BR/>Choke Points and Congestion: $2.952 billion - this is code for building more freeway lanes and ramps, and is a collosal waste of money to destroy quality of life<BR/><BR/>Taking the last item plus the $2 billion for AWV replacement plus $500 million for SR-520 expansion yields a total of $5.452 billion (out of $7.139 billion) worth of projects that are worse than useless, and that actively contribute to worsening congestion in the state.<BR/><BR/>I would vote against I-912 if the gas tax increase were about safety and improving Washington's quality of life. Unfortunately, it is mostly about building more roads to encourage ever increasing sprawl.<BR/><BR/>Vote YES on I-912.Roy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16120444973792909383noreply@blogger.com