While the passage of a statewide transportation package by the House Transportation Committee gives hope to supporters of State Route 167, local governments around the state continue to remind lawmakers about the importance of getting something done this year.

Several cities around the state have passed resolutions in support of a 2015 transportation package.

The ports of Tacoma and Seattle were part of the chorus this week. On Tuesday, the Port of Seattle passed a motion in support of statewide package. Two days later, the Port of Tacoma passed a similar proclamation.

“If we want to compete in the global economy, then we need to invest in our infrastructure,” said Commissioner Don Meyer. “It is as simple as that.”

Commissioner Don Johnson agreed, stating: “We have the capability of building the most modern container terminals in the world, but it doesn’t make any difference if you don’t have the rail or the roads to support them."

These votes by the port commissions are yet another example of the broad support for transportation.

The House and Senate packages are incredibly similar. While more compromise is needed, it is incumbent upon our lawmakers to heed to calls of their constituents and come to an agreement on transportation this session. Time is of essence.