As the Legislature enters into its final days, there is a lot of pressure being applied on House members to not support the transportation package. Unfortunately, we are hearing that the pressure has less to do with public policy and more to do with political reasons-- all part of some larger calculus of leverage, or to score political points, or to set up for some potential election. If Pierce County legislators are in fact being pressured to vote "no" for political reasons, it may be important for them to remember that they are essentially being asked to go back to their constituents and tell them why an unfinished roadway is in our community's best interest; why a one hour commute past JBLM is good for Pierce County; why we should support half-built interchanges in Federal Way, or partially improved interstates going through Snoqualmie Pass.
Pierce County's state legislators have an opportunity to deliver something to the voters of Pierce County that their predecessors going back for decades failed to achieve-- a completed SR-167. They have the chance to get it done. It would be a shame to squander that opportunity.
Some lawmakers claim they want the job-generating projects even as they try to evade the tax vote needed to make the projects happen.
They’re quick with excuses. They’d vote yes if only the state Department of Transportation were overhauled first. They’d vote yes if only a particular project were configured a different way. They’d vote yes if only there weren’t light rail on the Columbia River.
If only everything were perfect first.
But this is a package deal that requires an up-or-down vote. Queasy lawmakers who understand what’s at stake should take a deep breath, ignore loud but shortsighted people, then vote their conscience and the interests of their state. Ten, 20 and 30 years from now, they will look back and feel proud.