Today: King County Council Meets to Decide on $20 Congestion Charge
For weeks, we've been bringing you coverage of King County Metro's budget troubles--and the cuts that could result in up to a 17% reduction in services, county-wide.
This reduction of service isn't probable--it's definite, unless the County Council or voters decide to pass a $20 car tab fee, or "congestion reduction charge", which would help Metro maintain its current, barely-adequate level of service. The fee, which was brought to the table by King County Executive Dow Constantine, is the only proposal which has been submitted to save dozens of critical bus routes, which would otherwise be trimmed to the bone, or cut entirely. Raising fares is not an option--the average Metro rider has been asked to pay approximately $500 per year as a result of fare hikes since 2008.
Today at 3 p.m., the members of the King County Council will vote on this $20 fee for motorists. They will require a supermajority of 6 (out 9) Councilmembers to make the decision. If they can't agree, or if too few Councilmembers vote in favor, the matter will end up on the ballot in November for voters to decide. However, because the ballot is already likely to be crowded with other fees and charges, many of those who have been testifying in favor of the congestion reduction charge are desperately hoping that the Council will act as leaders and pass the decision.
5 Councilmembers--Bob Ferguson, Joe McDermott, Larry Phillips, Larry Gossett and Julia Patterson--have already said that they would vote in favor of this measure. The 4 others--Jane Hague, Kathy Lambert, Pete von Reichbauer and Reagan Dunn--have remained quiet or actively opposed the matter.
Hundreds have already testified in favor of this proposal over the course of 3 public hearings; many have states that the cuts would be disastrous to their lives. Earlier this month, vocal advocates lined 3rd Avenue to get a chance to speak up about the bus routes they rely on.
Final testimonies on this proposal and the potential cuts to service that would follow if it were not passed, will begin today at 1 p.m. You can submit your own written testimony here, or you can sign up to attend the meeting here. If you can't make it, you can still reach the offices of the 4 outstanding Councilmembers as follows:
Jane Hague:
206-296-1006
jane.hague@kingcounty.gov
Kathy Lambert:
206-296-1003
kathy.lambert@kingcounty.gov
Peter von Reichbauer (von-RITE-Bow-er)
206-296-1007
pete.vonreichbauer@kingcounty.gov
Reagan Dunn
206-296-1009
reagan.dunn@kingcounty.gov
You have until 1 p.m. to make your voice heard. Now's the time.
We'll be watching the hearing, and keep you updated as to any and all decisions.
