HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 3777CITY OF RENTON,WASIDNGTON
RESOLUTION NO.3777
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASHINGTON,STATING ITS OPPOSmON TO WASHINGTON
INITIATIVE 912,WIDCH WOULD REPEAL THE 91/2 CENT MOTOR
VEIDCLE FUEL TAX (GAS TAX)RATE INCREASE,ENACTED BY
THE WASHINGTON STATE LEGISLATURE DURING THE 2005
LEGISLATIVE SESSION,FOR STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC SAFETY PURPOSES,AND URGING VOTERS TO VOTE "NO"
ON TIDS INITIATIVE ON NOVEMBER 8,2005.
WHEREAS,throughout the Puget Sound area,and in Renton in particular,congestion is
a serious public safety,economic and quality-of-life problem;and
WHEREAS,Interstate 405 and State Routes 167,169,515,and 900 all pass through
Renton,bringing more than 350,000 vehicles a day through the City;and
WHEREAS,many organizations,including the Washington Alliance for a Competitive
Economy,the Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation,and fonner Governor Locke's
Competitiveness Council,have all identified transportation as a critical issue for Washington state,
and have called for the state to increase its investment in transportation infrastlUcture;and
WHEREAS,in response to this need,the Washington State Legislature took an
important step forward and enacted the 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package,which
included a 9 1/2 cent per gallon motor vehicle fuel tax (gas tax)rate increase,ofwhich three cents
took effect in July,2005,and additional increases that would take effect over the next three years;
and
WHEREAS,Renton has a pressing need for highway and local road projects,and
congestion relief will only occur by completing roadway expansion;and
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RESOLUTION NO.3777
WHEREAS,according to the Secretary of State,the gas tax increase would provide $4.4
billion plus $1 billion in proposed bond proceeds for 265 transportation projects throughout the
state.Additionally,this plan distributes $562 million for improvements to the arterial streets and
other transportation infrastructure managed by local governments;and
WHEREAS,Washington Initiative 912 (1-912),which would repeal the gas tax increase
enacted by the Washington State Legislature,has been certified for the November 8,2005
General Election ballot;and
WHEREAS,approval ofI-912 would end funding from the gas tax increase for
scheduled projects vital to the well-being ofRenton citizens and businesses,including funding for
the Small City Pavement program,Safe Routes to Schools program,Pedestrian and Bicycle
Safety program,and the Freight Mobility Safety Investment Board;and
WHEREAS,in and around Renton,the gas tax increase would have provided funding for
further improvements to 1-405,including the construction of an additional northbound lane from
167 to Maple Valley Highway,construction of one northbound and one southbound lane from NE
44th Street to 112th Ave SE,the addition of a northbound and southbound lane from Interstate 5
to State Route 181,construction of a new on-ramp to the north and off-ramp from the north at
State Route 515,and the construction ofan additional southbound lane from 1-405 to 41st Street,
and without this funding,these project will be delayed,and possibly not built;and
WHEREAS,locally,the estimated new fuel tax revenue to the City of Renton over six
years is approximately $1.3 million and would provide partial funding to the SW 27th Street
project,improvements to Hardie Avenue SW and Rainier Avenue South,and improvements along
the NE 3rd and NE 4th Corridor;and
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RESOLUTION NO.3777
WHEREAS,the people ofRenton have repeatedly expressed support for funding local
transportation improvements;and
WHEREAS,approval ofI-912 would negatively affect all corners of the state of
Washington,reducing or eliminating funding for over 265 transportation projects;and
WHEREAS,approval ofI-912 would have an enormous adverse economic impact on the
state ofWashington by eliminating,or preventing the creation of,thousands ofdirect and indirect
jobs associated with transportation projects;and
WHEREAS,approval ofI-912 would seriously harm the state ofWashington's ability to
maintain its aging transportation infrastructure,putting at risk the health and safety of millions of
residents;
NOW,THEREFORE,THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON,
WASIDNGTON,DOES RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTIONL
SECTIONll.
The above findings are true and correct in aU respects.
The City Council declares its opposition to Washington Initiative
912,and urges voters to vote "no"on the initiative at the November 8,2005 General Election.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 17th day of__o;:;..c::..;t:::..::o=b:..=e=r_----',2005.
Bonnie I.Walton,City Clerk
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RESOLUTION NO.3777
APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 17th day of o_c_t_o_b_er --',2005.
Approved as to form:
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RES.1137:1O/17/05:ma
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