Some of the new state taxes would be used as matching money for some of the mega-projects, like major improvements of Interstate 405 and a new bridge across Lake Washington, and a new Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle. Regional taxes could include sales taxes, a local gas tax, an annual vehicle fee, business surcharge and road and bridge tolls. Although primarily aimed at fixing Puget Sound area's congestion, his plan also could work for the Vancouver area and the Spokane region. Legislative reaction was generally favorable, although House and Senate transportation leaders still are crafting their own proposals. Truckers were furious and mass transit advocates said Locke's proposal falls short.
Nobody likes to pay more for gas and it keeps going up.
He said he'd like a chance to cut the current gas tax. We've got some of the worst traffic congestion in the country and it's getting worse. He noted that The Boeing Co. and other linchpins of the economy have made it clear the state must fix its traffic mess or risk losing business. Locke said the state's highways are jammed, the ferry fleet is aging, transit systems are pinched and truckers are struggling to get their goods to market on time. Locke, flanked by business and labor leaders, outlined his plan and urged legislators to get cracking on their own proposals.