What happened: The Washington state legislature March 10 approved a 16-year, $17 billion funding package, the largest in the state’s history and first new infrastructure investment since 2015.
Why it matters: The “Move Ahead Washington” package includes revenue from the state’s existing carbon fee ($5.4B), federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding ($3.65B), one-time state operating budget surplus ($2B), General Fund and Public Works Trust Fund transfers ($1.71B), and a license plate fee increase ($1.427B), among other sources. Additionally, transportation-related tax credits will be phased out of the transportation fund. The legislation notably excludes an export fuel tax, which had been proposed in the original text.
The package directs revenue to various projects and needs throughout the state including
- Grants for local public transit
- I-5 replacement bridge across the Columbia River
- Highway maintenance
- High-speed rail
- Pedestrian-focused infrastructure
What’s next: Gov. Jay Inslee (D) has called the legislation “a once-in-a-generation transportation revenue package.” He has 20 days to make a decision on the bill.
More information:
ARTBA-TIACs state legislative dashboard to monitor ongoing developments.