Transportation Funding Package Unveiled In Olympia

As part of the the budget wrangling going on in Olympia, Governor Inslee has been pushing for the passage of a transportation revenue package. While we already have a transportation budget in place, there has been talk for a long time of creating a package aimed at creating new funding for much needed maintenance, as well as new projects.

Yesterday House Democrats unveiled a $10 billion package that includes a 10.5-cent increase in the gas tax, with 6 cents of the increase taking effect on August 1. The proposal also includes $3.2 billion for several state road projects, including State Road 167, Interstate 90 over Snoqualmie Pass and a replacement bridge that would extend Interstate 5 over the Columbia River. It also includes more than $1 billion for maintenance of highways and bridges.

So what happens next? The Oregonian has the latest on both budget and transportation package negotiations.

What Happens To Local Road Construction Projects If The Government Shuts Down?

I work with a lot of government employees at other agencies, plus have friends at other agencies around the state, and all anyone can talk about lately is if they'll be working next week. With the legislature still struggling to pass a budget, the word is that if it doesn't happen by July 1, State government will shut down for at least a week or two until something is hammered out.

The question I've been getting from the public is, what will happen to the construction projects that are either scheduled to start soon or are currently underway, if there is a government shut down? Well don't worry, we won't be left with gaping holes in our streets (beyond the potholes we have now, anyway) or half-paved roads while workers sit at home watching soap operas, waiting to get called back to work.

A state transportation budget was approved in late May so that is what we will continue to operate under. Leaders at the local WSDOT office say that there will be no disruption in construction or funding that they anticipate. There are a couple agencies local jurisdictions partner with on projects, such as fish and game or then Department of Ecology, to make sure transportation projects won't harm wildlife or cause air pollution. WSDOT is working to identify those agencies and evaluate what the impact will be if they are shut down.

Spokane Valley Proposed Budget Review

A Public Hearing is coming up for the proposed City of Spokane Valley 2012 Budget. According to a press release from the City, its citizens seem to be most interested in a handful of key areas, including public safety, roads, parks and recreation, and property taxes. As a result, they're providing a review that I thought you might be interested in.

Total proopsed 2012 budget: $57 million Included in it:

- $22 million for public safety services. Those services have contributed to Spokane Valley's ranking of 109th safest of cities of across the nation with populations of 75,000 or more according to CQPress Crime Rankings.

- $11.3 million for capital improvement projects such as resurfacing Sprague Avenue from Evergreen to Sullivan; planning, design and environmental work toward replacement of the Sullivan Road Bridge southbound; and others.

- Additional $500,000 for street preservation.

With revenues remaining flat or at levels only slightly higher than in the past year, no new programs or staff positions have been proposed in 2012.

Spokane Valley's property tax of about $1.52 per thousand dollars of valuation will not increase in 2012. The expected total of $10.8 million in property tax revenue is slightly higher than this year due to new construction coming onto the tax rolls.

Those property taxes combined with sales taxes make up about 77 percent of the City's annual General Fund revenues. Reflecting the general economy, sales tax revenues for 2012 are anticipated to remain flat at about $16.2 million.

More detailed information on anticipated revenues and expenditures are included in the Preliminary 2012 Budget, which you can view here.