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C-Tran Bill Dies in Washington House
February 22, 2008
Author: CFM Staff
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Oregon and Washington lawmakers will be considering major investments in their 2009 legislative sessions to replace the aging I-5 Columbia River Bridge.
An attempt by C-Tran in Clark County, Washington to get a running start on the project by gaining authority to form a taxing district to help pay for light rail died this week in the Washington House. House Speaker Frank Chopp declined to bring the bill to the floor for a vote, claiming legislative leaders didn't have time in the 2008 session to address the issue.
Vancouver Democratic Reps. Bill Fromhold and Jim Moeller co-sponsored legislation that would have allowed nine transit agencies, including C-Tran, to create new special taxing districts to finance and operate light rail or high-capacity bus routes.
Options under consideration for the I-5 bridge include either light rail or high-capacity bus routes.
Tim Leavitt, who chairs C-Tran's board, said the transit agency is looking for a vehicle that allows it to target a portion of its district for a tax intended to obtain financial contributions from those who benefit most from light rail or high-capacity bus routes.
C-Tran has signaled an interest to ask for voter approval of a sales tax increase to pay for operation and maintenance of light rail. It fears that portions of its district, such as the cities of Yacolt and La Center, which won't receive much direct benefit, would oppose the sales tax increase.
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