Now, the Senate is talking about whether giving the Transportation Commission the authority to set tolls is a “tax” under 1-960.

“Taxes” and “fees” are different under I-960, but Sen. Val Stevens, who brought up the challenge, said the tolls would constitute a tax.

They’re going to go on with other amendments while Lt. Gov. Brad Owen comes up with a ruling.

Now, an amendment from Sen. Janea Holmquist. The amendment would restore money to the rail budget. Sen. Mark Schoessler said reducing the rail money constitutes “stealing.” But Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said the state is using some money from the fund because it’s been sitting unused. She said it won’t delay any projects.

The amendment failed.

Tags: transportation budget

The Senate is getting ready to debate their transportation budget now — it’s live on TVW and tvw.org.

Refresh your page and I’ll update the debate here.

Sen. Mike Carrell is offering an amendment to remove the authority to set toll rates from the Transportation Commission.

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen said giving the commission the authority to set rates for tolls is merely in compliance with I-960, which prevents the Legislature from raising taxes without a two-thirds vote.

Sen. Pam Roach said giving away toll-setting authority is the Legislature’s way of shirking its duty. Sen. Chris Marr said the Transportation Commission has members from all over the state, and that they take a lot of public comment, so they’re better suited to set tolls. The debate continues!

The amendment failed. In his closing speech, Carrell said something along the lines of “failing to pass this amendment is voting to pass the buck.”

Here’s where to find the bill and all the amendments.

I’m now going to make a new post so it’s easier to follow along.

Tags: transportation budget

The press conference for the roll-out of the Senate transportation budget is on TVW now — or tvw.org, of course.

Right now, Sen. Fred Jarrett is discussing how to fund the transportation system. “We are seriously underfunding upkeep,” he said, among other things. He said the gas tax, the source of transportation funding, is undermined by encouraging public transportation, which he indicated isn’t logical.

Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen: “As disappointed as I am in rail … we believe we are in a good situation to get money from the federal stimulus… Rail is part of the future but unfortunately we had to give up some of our bonding capability” to the capital budget, she said.

Now, the questions.

To questions about the Alaskan Way Viaduct replacement, Haugen said they mentioned it in the budget, which means the department can begin preliminary work. They won’t begin any boring for the “deep-bore” tunnel, she said — just the leg work.

This is from Sen. Jim Honeyford’s Twitter (I corrected the spelling from Twitter abbreviations): “Senate transportation budget DOES NOT close the Goldendale license office. Also includes $5 opt out on vehicle license fees to got to state parks.”

That “opt out” part is thought to be critical to saving parks because it is expected to net more than the current opt-in system, though Republicans at last week’s media availability characterized it as a tax (subject to I-960 challenges), since many people do not opt-out (perhaps because they don’t see the option).

Tags: transportation budget