House Transportation Budget Addresses Thurston County Needs

March 30, 2009

OLYMPIA - Representative Brendan Williams (D., Olympia) announced his support for the proposed House Transportation budget – Proposed Substitute House Bill 1314 – which is scheduled for a vote this afternoon by the House Transportation Committee upon which Williams serves.

As Williams requested in a February 27 meeting he facilitated between House Transportation Chair Judy Clibborn and Thurston County Sheriff Dan Kimball, the budget further delays transferring the responsibility for county road accident investigation from the Washington State Patrol to Thurston County.

Section 207(3) of PSHB 1314 delays that transition to July 1, 2011. This is a critical cost savings for a Thurston County Sheriff’s Department already beset by county budget cuts.

“Judy deserves praise for listening to our local public safety concerns,” stated Williams. Under PSHB 1314, Thurston County will be the only county out of 39 where the State Patrol still conducts accident investigations on county roads.

Governor Gregoire’s budget would have delayed until 2011-13 Interstate 5 sound walls scheduled for construction in the 22nd District. The House budget proposal would fund in the coming biennium the East Tanglewilde sound wall while delaying until 2011-13 the Thompson Place wall. The Senate budget would fund both in the coming biennium.

“My hope is we will move toward the Senate position on these projects,” stated Williams.

The unincorporated area of Tanglewilde-Thompson Place, with a population of around 5,700, is very diverse at only 68.3% white with an average age of 31.6. Stated Williams: “These working class neighborhoods have already waited too long for these projects. The House budget starts making progress for them.”