The Business Examiner headline says it all: "Will this be the year for long-awaited transport package?"

Maybe, said Tom Pierson, CEO of Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, in the story. According to Pierson, 2015 looks more promising than past years and cited several factors for his optimism:

• a longer legislative session
• an earlier introduction of a funding package proposal
• narrower party majorities
• more bipartisan support

Pierson called the completion of State Route 167 a “game changer for Pierce County."

“I think from an economy standpoint, we probably have the most to gain, the most to lose,” Pierson said in the article.

The Washington State Department of Transportation estimates a competed SR 167 could generate 80,000 long-term jobs.

"As with most legislation," notes the Business Examiner, “the devil is in the details.” Expect lots of discussion and negotiation about how to fund the transportation package—and which projects to fund.

While Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed a carbon tax, legislators are also expected to consider replacing the gas tax with a road usage fee. Meanwhile, Sen. Curtis King said support is growing to raise the gas tax to fund transportation investments.

“We simply need to get it done,” Inslee said in the Business Examiner story. “Our goal cannot be to get all of what we each might want, but instead to get what the state needs.”