Street-Repair Bill Survives Legislative Deadline Measure Would Allow Sta Funds To Be Used To Fix Roads

Tue., March 11, 1997

Chris Mulick Staff writer

A legislative proposal that would allow the Spokane Transit Authority to help maintain city streets survived its cutoff date Monday after swimming in peril for the past two weeks.

Sponsored by Rep. Mark Sterk, R-Spokane Valley, the bill would allow members of the STA governing board to decide if they want to help pay for street repairs.

STA has a $33 million reserve, which it uses for alternative fuels conversion, capital purchases and self-insurance.

After receiving a 20-5 yes vote from the House Transportation, Policy and Budget Committee, the bill moves to the House Rules Committee, a step away from a floor vote.

The plan has been a top priority for the city of Spokane, which, officials say, needs about $6.5 million more per year to keep city streets in good shape. However, the STA board recently refused to endorse the legislation.

House Bill 2105 was passed out of committee in its original form Monday.

After hearing negative responses from local authorities, Sterk proposed limiting the bill’s reach to Spokane County only. He also proposed putting a $500,000 cap on the amount of money that could come from STA for street repairs per year.

But other lawmakers on the committee, some of whom have been skeptical from the start, saw how the original bill could benefit their constituents, said Rep. Alex Wood, a Spokane Democrat on the committee.

“Everybody knew the focus would be on Spokane from the start,” Wood said, referring to Spokane Republican Sen. Jim West, who introduced the bill in the Senate. “It amazed me it passed as easily as it did.”

The bill has drawn unfavorable testimony in House and Senate committee hearings.

On Monday, opposition came from lawmakers anxious about diverting tax money generated by transit systems to local governments. STA officials are concerned the bill would allow the city to raid its reserve account.

But House committee chairwoman Karen Schmidt, R-Bainbridge Island, said the bill clarifies what local governments and their transit systems can do together.

Some transit authorities already are contracting with local governments to help repair streets. , DataTimes

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