Rep. John Ley says bill would let Oregon off the hook for $1.6 billion in borrowed funds to be paid back by tolling revenues
Ken Vance, editor
Clark County Today
The Washington State House Transportation Committee will hold a hearing Monday (Feb. 24) at 1:30 p.m. on House Bill 1958. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Sharon Wylie (Democrat, 49th District), concerns the interstate bridge replacement toll bond authority.
According to opponents of the bill, HB 1958 would put 100 percent of the $1.6 billion in borrowed funds, to be backed by tolling revenues, on Washington residents.
“There is no mention of Oregon in the bill’s language,’’ said Rep. John Ley (Republican, 18th District), a member of the House Transportation Committee.
Ley pointed out that the I-5 Bridge replacement project is theoretically a two-state project, where each state shares in the financial obligations. However, HB 1958 appears to let Oregon “completely off the hook,’’ Ley said.
“Furthermore, ‘if’ there is not enough IBR tolling revenue, then this bill allows WSDOT to use revenues from other tolled facilities to pay back the obligation,’’ Ley said. “And if that’s not enough, then they could use gas tax revenues. And if that’s not enough, they could use taxpayer money from the General Fund. It’s a horrible bill on many levels.’’
Ley urges concerned Clark County citizens to give their input on HB 1958 that would allow Washington state to borrow $1.6 Billion, to be paid back by tolls. This CCT story explains rising toll rates in Washington state, the very high cost of collecting tolls, and high interest payments paid to financiers on huge loans like this.
Residents can register a position on the bill at this link
See the bill webpage at this link
Ley encourages well-informed citizens to sign up and testify either in person or remotely.
Also read:
- Washington gas prices stay high despite Iran deal as automatic tax hike looms
Washington’s gas tax rises 2% on July 1 under a new inflation-tied annual indexing mechanism. - Letter: The IBR’s concrete obscenity
Bob Ortblad argues $17.7 billion buys one extra lane for five miles — and 30 years of debt for future generations. - Opinion: Legislators demand two auxiliary lanes and challenge light rail plans for I-5 Bridge Replacement
Legislators from both states pressed IBR staff on auxiliary lanes, tolling diversion, and a $7.65 billion cost estimate with no clear path to full funding. - Opinion: Major projects and ODOT’s financial crisis
Joe Cortright tells Oregon Transportation Commission that ODOT’s cost management failures, not fuel efficiency, caused its budget crisis. - POLL: Should federal transportation officials delay approval of the Interstate Bridge replacement project until a new review is completed?
Rep. John Ley urges U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to delay the $15 billion Interstate Bridge replacement project pending new federal review.
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