Senator from Pierce County proposes big change for Sound Transit board
Nov 18, 2016, 12:22 PM | Updated: 12:44 pm
The Legislature came one step closer to forcing Sound Transit to lower car tab fees. (KIRO Radio)
(KIRO Radio)
A Pierce County senator wants voters to have more of a say when it comes to Sound Transit.
After Pierce County voters found out they will have to pay for a $54 billion transit package that they rejected, Sen. Steve O’Ban (R-University Place) announced plans to file a measure for next year’s legislative session to end political appointments to the Sound Transit governing board.
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O’Ban argues directors should be elected by district. Electing directors by district could improve public confidence, according to O’Ban.
“Sound Transit’s budget is bigger than many cities, yet it does not answer to the voters,” O’Ban said. “That has to change. Now that Sound Transit has been entrusted with $54 billion in new tax money, it is more important than ever for the people to have a say in the agency’s management.”
Board members are appointed by county executives. A list of board members can be found here.
“The current system leaves nearly a million people unrepresented,” O’Ban said. “Our country was founded on the principle that there should be no taxation without representation. Surely this should apply to Sound Transit.”
King, Snohomish and Pierce County
Despite the up-and-downs of light rail expansion, voters seem to have more confidence in Sound Transit than in the past. In 2007, voters rejected Sound Transit 2 because, as The Seattle Times put it, the proposal was “too big and unwieldy.” A new ST2 was later approved.
Though many argued against ST3, voters in King County approved in by nearly 60 percent. Snohomish voters approved it by 51 percent. You can check the results here.
Thanks to voter approval, Sound Transit will continue to build light rail for years. Light rail will be extended by 62 more miles, allowing trains as far south as DuPont. Sound Transit will also build more park-and-ride and expand bus rapid transit.
Taxpayers within Sound Transit’s districts will pay $25 a year per $100,000 of assessed value, a sales tax of 50 cents per $100 purchase, and a car-tab tax of $80 a year per $10,000 vehicle value.
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