How will Sound Transit respond to Legislature’s latest ‘message’?
Mar 23, 2017, 11:25 AM | Updated: 11:32 am
The Legislature came one step closer to forcing Sound Transit to lower car tab fees. (KIRO Radio)
(KIRO Radio)
The Legislature is one step closer to forcing Sound Transit to lower car tab fees.
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State senators passed an amendment to the transportation budget that would force the Washington State Department of Licensing to calculate fees based on the fair market value of a vehicle.
State Senator Phil Fortunato says this shows just how serious lawmakers are about the issue.
“I think it’s important to send a message that we’re serious about this,” he said. “And that either they’re going to do the right thing or they’re not. And if they’re not, then we’re going to take action.”
Sound Transit has not responded to the Senate vote. However, the Sound Transit Board of Directors will meet Thursday afternoon for the first time since controversy erupted over the massive spike in car tab fees.
“They might be getting an earful from those folks who found out their car tabs are nearly tripling under Sound transit 3,” KIRO 7’s Rob Munoz said. “But now the board says they want to do right while also guaranteeing that future projects … get done on time.”
DORI: Don’t complain about ‘sticker shock’ from Sound Transit’s $6 billion ripoff
Drivers have seen car tab fees dramatically increase over the past few weeks due to the voter-approved Sound Transit 3 tax package. It was after-the-fact when many realized the agency responsible for building light rail throughout the region was using an outdated valuation method to calculate car tab fees associated with the ballot measure passed in November.
Earlier this week, Sound Transit boardmember Rob Johnson expressed his concern:
“So a lot of big concerns for us,” he said. “I think the agency is willing to be productive and work with folks in Olympia. But creating that is kind of fiscally irresponsible, and inconsistent with voter-approved projects, is really, really hard for the Sound Transit board and the Sound Transit staff, as well.”
