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.