PSRC’s Executive Board adopted a resolution in support of a balanced approach to transportation funding in Washington State that includes new, sustainable revenue.
State revenues are lower while costs to complete transportation projects are increasing, creating difficult budget shortfalls. Without new revenue deep cuts would be necessary, deferring roadway maintenance and preservation, pushing back major construction projects and delaying purchase of new ferry boats.
The resolution supports transportation resources for:
- Maintenance and preservation of regional infrastructure
- Addressing safety on our roadways
- Restoring full ferry service
- Completing projects of regional significance
- Investing in transit
Here is the text of resolution adopted by the Executive Board on March 27, 2025.
RESOLUTION NO. PSRC-EB-2025-01
A RESOLUTION of the Puget Sound Regional Council Supporting a Balanced Approach for the Washington Transportation Budget
WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Regional Council is designated by local governments and under federal and state laws as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the central Puget Sound region encompassing King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties;
WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Regional Council develops policies and coordinates decisions about regional growth, transportation and economic development planning within the central Puget Sound region;
WHEREAS, a primary responsibility of the Puget Sound Regional Council is to develop and maintain a long-range Regional Transportation Plan describing how the region will create a sustainable, equitable, affordable, safe and efficient multimodal transportation system;
WHEREAS, the Regional Transportation Plan places specific emphasis on an integrated regional transit network that supports the region’s growth strategy and promotes vitality of the region’s economy, environment and health;
WHEREAS, safety on regional roadways is a critical concern and the Puget Sound Regional Council is adopting a Regional Safety Action Plan to reverse the troubling increase in deaths and serious injuries on our roadways and to support the Washington State Strategic Highway Safety Plan, Target Zero;
WHEREAS, the Washington State Ferries system is a marine highway system, alongside passenger-only ferry service, that is essential to Puget Sound communities, and investment in new vessels, boat maintenance and workforce is needed to restore reliable cross-sound service and reduce environmental impact;
WHEREAS, the region’s communities face a significant backlog of maintenance and preservation needs for roadways, bridges, sidewalks and other transportation infrastructure;
WHEREAS, climate change is an urgent environmental, economic and equity threat, and the central Puget Sound region’s leaders have committed to taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a sustainable urban region;
WHEREAS, costs of completing major transportation projects continue to increase and projects of regional significance must be built as quickly as possible as the region continues to grow;
WHEREAS, the fuel (gasoline and diesel) tax is a major source of transportation revenue and collections are declining as a result of people driving less, increases in vehicle fuel economy and adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles, and revenues are expected to continue to moderately decline each year in the future, and new stable revenue sources are needed to support continued investment in the transportation system;
WHEREAS, delay or loss of state funds for transportation projects may result in loss of dedicated federal funds, and there is currently heightened uncertainty regarding federal resources;
WHEREAS, the voice of the WA State Transportation Commission should be preserved and their engagement with communities across the state protected;
WHEREAS, protecting transit programs from budgetary cuts and taxes is vital to sustaining existing services, expanding service areas and investing in the modernization of transit fleets and facilities to meet the growing needs of the region;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Puget Sound Regional Council supports continued collaboration with local, state and federal partners to find solutions to fulfill the transportation needs of the region and state;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Puget Sound Regional Council recognizes that the Washington state transportation budget provides critical funding to address long-term financial needs identified in the Regional Transportation Plan and the long-range plans of local governments, transit agencies and the state of Washington;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Puget Sound Regional Council supports sustainable state transportation revenue that provides funding for local preservation, maintenance, operations and safety improvements, prevents diversion of funds, and supports local funding options to preserve and maintain public transportation systems.
ADOPTED by the Executive Board this 27th day of March 2025.
Becky Erickson, Mayor
City of Poulsbo
President, Puget Sound Regional Council
ATTEST:
Josh Brown
Executive Director, Puget Sound Regional Council