GOP readies transportation plan with no climate-change initiatives

The wait is nearly over.

Senate Republicans, after two years of avoidance, are putting the final touches on a multibillion-dollar transportation package and could make it public as early as Thursday.

It’s what Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee has politely, pointedly and persistently demanded of GOP lawmakers. His public pressure — remember how he called them out in last year’s State of the State address — coupled with the private lobbying of business leaders, certainly motivated Republicans to reach this point this early in the session.

But the governor is likely to be sparing in his praise of their handiwork. This package — crafted in part through negotiations with Democrats — delivers a bipartisan rejection of his signature climate-change initiatives.

Its major funding source would be a gas tax hike of somewhere between 11.5 cents and 14 cents, not revenue from the cap-and-trade program for carbon emissions he’s pushed.

And Republicans apparently are ready to pump more dollars into public transit in exchange for Democrats agreeing to delay — maybe even halt — action on a new carbon fuel standard that Inslee’s administration has begun writing. The deal also calls for GOP senators to allow Sound Transit to ask voters to fund expansions into Everett and Tacoma.

Inslee’s not going to wave the white flag on his initiatives. Instead, he can focus on making sure the counterproposal that will be drawn up in the Democrat-controlled House keeps one or both of them alive in some fashion.

The governor’s next move may become clearer when he talks to reporters Thursday.

Meanwhile, don’t look for House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, to applaud the accomplishment of Senate Republicans too loudly either.

By this time next week, that bundle of transportation joy could be outside his door and he’ll be fielding questions about what he wants to do and when he wants to do it.

Some around the Capitol think Chopp should press for swift action by the House, rapidly consummate a deal with the Senate and get it signed by the governor. This would give everyone a chance to collectively relish an accomplishment on what’s been a divisive issue.

Acting soon, they argue, also would give Democrats a little breathing space before they start seriously talking about taxes they want to raise to pay for education and government services. That’s going to be a difficult conversation that will last until the end of session in late April and maybe beyond. Leaving a decision on a gas tax hike until then can only make it harder.

On the other hand, Chopp may find more value in waiting and using the transportation package as leverage for securing votes for those taxes.

There are those who contend there will be lawmakers in both parties willing to pledge support for a new or higher tax for the budget if their pet transportation project is funded. But, they contend, acting too soon on transportation could allow those lawmakers to change their minds later.

Back in the Senate, after two years of being the ones watched, Republicans surely can’t wait to be the ones watching.

Political reporter Jerry Cornfield’s blog, The Petri Dish, is at www.heraldnet.com. Contact him at 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com and on Twitter at @dospueblos

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.