Gov. Gary Locke recently announced a transportation funding plan, and legislators in Olympia are currently working very hard to restructure how this state funds and manages transportation improvements. This is a major update of the region's transportation program for the next 30 years, building on the Blue Ribbon Commission's work. Another major question about transportation reform is the balance between state and regional responsibilities. As you hear more on this point, we would like you to remember that counties are part of the solution. Solutions to our region's transportation problem involves King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties - working together and with the Legislature to reform our transportation system relative to financing, project prioritization, management and governance.
Counties are well suited to perform key roles for transportation improvements.
We believe it is important to keep a close link between the power to raise revenues and the responsibility to deliver services. County governments have balanced these priorities for decades. On Monday at 9 a.m., elected officials from King and Snohomish counties, city elected officials and community leaders will gather at the Everett Performing Arts Center to discuss our regional transportation system and the challenges ahead. We will gather as regional leaders to discuss what we can do to repair our worsening transportation system. Wash. If you have questions or comments, please contact us .