State and local governments should sell their interests in assets such as Safeco Field, the Seahawks stadium, the Seattle Convention Center, Boeing Field, and Sea-Tac Airport. Selling these and other assets would generate one-time revenue and recurring money from property, sales, business and occupation taxes. The sales tax on new automobiles and other private transportation-related sales should be used to fund new roads. There is no reason for transportation sales tax revenue to be used for non-transportation purposes. More funds can also be generated by privatizing the ferry system and cancelling the Sound Transit light rail project.
Taxpayers demand and deserve accountability for the money they provide to transportation agencies.
Lawmakers are naive if they think voters will approve tax increases for transportation when current revenues are not being spent wisely. Until the above suggestions have been considered, legislators cannot say there is not enough money for transportation. Jay Balasbas is the Deputy Communications Director for the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, an Olympia-based policy research organization.