Transportation package tops wish list in Olympia

OLYMPIA — As a new legislative session began Monday, Snohomish County’s delegation expressed bipartisan support for a transportation package in some form and money for Washington State University in Everett.

Lawmakers also hope to see the state provide better services for those in the county who have a mental illness, to improve the state’s ability to detect and map landslide hazards, and to lock up money for projects in communities affected by the Oso mudslide.

Those are the issues that seemed to unite county lawmakers, regardless of party, as the 105-day session opened.

Snohomish County, the third-most-populous county in the state, is represented by 21 lawmakers, of whom 14 serve in the House and seven in the Senate. Of those, 13 are Democrats and eight are Republicans.

While it’s rare for them all to agree on any one budget item or policy, those interviewed Monday and in the weeks prior zeroed in on transportation as the issue most important to every district in Snohomish and Island counties.

They said any new transportation package must ease the commute, improve the flow of freight and increase accountability in state projects.

“The issues in transportation are only going to get worse if we don’t do something,” said Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. “But we need to make sure every dollar we spend in transportation is actually mitigating the problems we have.”

There’s concern that the proposal put forth by Gov. Jay Inslee in December was hundreds of millions of dollars shy of what lawmakers think Snohomish County deserves. The governor’s 12-year, $12.2 billion transportation package contained only $81.8 million for road projects in the county.

“We’re going to try to get our fair share,” said Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Transportation Committee.

Lawmakers are backing a request from Washington State University for $61.1 million to build a four-story structure in north Everett that would be the new home for the WSU-run University Center. They also want to see as much as $4.5 million earmarked for WSU to offer additional courses at the center.

“We need to expand the degree programs there and begin to look at serving more of the community, especially in the 10th District,” said Bailey, who is chairwoman of the Senate Higher Education Committee.

Several lawmakers are pushing to get $1.6 million to renovate the Carnegie building next to the Snohomish County Jail in Everett. They propose a place where low-level offenders who are homeless can live and obtain mental health and substance abuse treatment and job training.

“It should help break the cycle of recidivism,” said Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett.

Without blinking, every lawmaker wants to invest in expanding the state’s use of remote sensing technology known as lidar to map areas of landslide hazards. And they expect ample funding for community projects where the tragic March 22 mudslide left its mark.

Several statewide concerns are also local concerns.

For example, this session lawmakers are expected to give public schools an injection of $750 million — and maybe more — to satisfy an order by the state Supreme Court.

“Our schools are stretched and overloaded, just like other schools,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish.

State Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Seattle, who represents south Snohomish County, will be focused on getting additional dollars into early childhood education and to create “a high quality network of early learning services.”

Kagi also might sponsor a bill requiring safe storage of weapons. It would hold adults responsible if a child gets hold of a weapon and then harms another person, accidentally or intentionally, or takes their own life.

Another statewide issue with strong local interest is harmonizing the rules for medical marijuana dispensaries and the fledgling, state-regulated recreational marijuana industry.

“That’s a problem that needs to be solved,” said Rep. Derek Stanford, D-Bothell, whose district includes the Clearview area, where several dispensaries operate. “We need to preserve access to medical marijuana, but we need a unified system.”

Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Employees and patrons of the Everett Mall signed a timeline mural that traces the history of the 51-year-old indoor mall that was once considered the premier place to go shopping in the city. Thursday, March 20, 2025 (Aaron Kennedy / The Herald)
Mall mural offers nostalgic trip into the past

Past and present Everett Mall employees joined customers Thursday to view an artistic timeline of the once popular shopping mecca.

Edmonds Mayor Mike Rosen gives his State of the City address on Thursday, March 20 in Edmonds, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Edmonds mayor talks budget at 2025 State of the City

Mayor Mike Rosen discussed the city’s deficit and highlights from his first year in office.

Public’s help needed to find missing Arlington man

The 21-year-old left the house Sunday night without his shoes, cell phone or a jacket, and was reported missing the following morning.

The Marysville Tulalip Campus on the Tulalip Reservation, where Legacy High School is located. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Marysville board votes to keep Legacy High at current location

The move rolls back a decision the school board made in January to move the alternative high school at the start of next school year.

The former Marysville City Hall building along State Avenue on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
City of Marysville, school board amend property exchange

The city will relocate its public works facility to the district’s current headquarters, which will move to the former City Hall.

Snohomish County Elections employees Alice Salcido, left and Joseph Rzeckowski, right, pull full bins of ballots from the Snohomish County Campus ballot drop box on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County to mail ballots for Edmonds, Brier elections

Registered voters should receive their ballots by April 9 for the April 22 special election.

A stormwater diversion structure which has been given a notice for repairs along a section of the Perrinville Creek north of Stamm Overlook Park that flows into Browns Bay in Edmonds, Washington on Thursday, July 18, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Edmonds Hearing Examiner decides on Perrinville Creek saga

The examiner revoked the city’s Determination of Non-Significance, forcing Edmonds to address infrastructure issues on the creek

Don Sharrett talks John Wrice through his trimming technique on Friday, March 14, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett barber school offers $5 haircuts — if you’re brave enough

Students get hands-on practice. Willing clients get a sweet deal.

Our Lady of Hope Fr. Joseph Altenhofen outside of his parish’s building that will be the new home of Hope ‘N Wellness on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Hope ‘N Wellness location to open Wednesday in Everett

Our Lady of Hope Church will host the social service organization at 2617 Cedar St. in Everett.

Amtrak Cascades train 517 to Portland departs from Everett Station on Saturday, Sep. 2, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Limited train service to resume on Amtrak Cascades

Trains will have less capacity for now, but service is expected to resume for some routes as early as Tuesday.

Marysville
Police: 66-year-old Marysville man dead from fatal stabbing

A neighbor found the man unconscious on the sidewalk as the result of an apparent stabbing. Police said they are looking for suspects.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Driver, suspected of DUI, hits WSP vehicle on I-5 near Everett

The trooper was blocking the HOV lane for a previous collision when his vehicle was struck Saturday morning.

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.