I-745 Road Construction

Thu., Nov. 2, 2000

By Mike Prager mikeprager15@gmail.com (509) 459-5454

State Initiative 745 would increase the speed of road building in Washington at a time when many people are caught in gridlock.

Its populist appeal could sway voters frustrated by congestion on the West Side and potholes in Spokane.

But opponents fear I-745 would throw transportation into chaos, especially the future of the state’s 26 transit districts that depend on local tax collections.

The initiative requires 90 percent of all state and local tax dollars to be spent on roads and highways.

The measure tells the Legislature to make the split, but not how. It calls for efficiency audits and would end sales tax levies on road construction.

“The problem is there is a status quo mentality in Olympia,” said Tim Eyman, the Mukilteo, Wash., businessman who spearheaded the repeal of Washington’s motor vehicle excise taxes last year. Eyman is also the sponsor of I-745.

David Spivey, executive vice president of the Asphalt Paving Association of Washington, said, “It puts the onus on the Legislature to address the issue.”

Industry contributions financed a paid petition drive, which got the measure on the ballot.

Opponents said it’s wrong to let road builders call the shots.

Currently about 20 percent of transportation dollars goes to public transit.

To get to the 90-10 split under the initiative, lawmakers would either need to approve a huge increase in road spending or make sharp cuts in mass transit funding.

Analysts said that could force lawmakers to override the state’s long-standing policy of funding public transit through local-option sales taxes.

In Spokane, a sales tax of 0.3 percent supports transit.

“It’s presenting simple-minded solutions to complex problems,” said Dan Kirschner, vice president of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the measure.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ROAD INITIATIVE

Initiative 745 would require the Legislature to spend 90 percent of state and local transportation dollars on roads. It would eliminate sales taxes on road projects and require annual audits on the efficiency of transportation agencies.

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