Here in Olympia, the rains have returned, the days are growing shorter, and the election is over—the seasonal shifts that mark a collective turning toward the upcoming Legislative Session and preparing to ensure that ports’ interests are thoughtfully and zealously represented.

This year, we’ve been hard at work tackling one of the most important topics of the upcoming session- transportation. We know that transportation is at the heart of many ports’ identities and missions, and that’s why WPPA has been actively engaged in the multiple transportation conversations happening within the legislature.

Anticipating carbon pricing as a legislative priority this session, WPPA convened a Carbon Policy and Transportation Funding Workgroup comprised of 13 port commissioners who spent over 10 hours learning, discussing, and crafting a policy position for the WPPA. Carbon pricing has long been discussed during Washington’s legislative sessions, and proposals such as Senator Hobbs’ “Forward Washington” have tied carbon pricing as a solution to transportation funding woes.

This context, paired with recurrent attempts to cut transportation funding by ballot initiative, WPPA formed the Carbon Policy and Transportation Funding Working Group co-chaired by Port of Anacortes Commissioner Kathy Pittis and Port of Benton County Commissioner Roy Keck. The group was tasked with considering whether the association should adopt a policy that would endorse a carbon pricing tool that would both achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while also providing much needed funding for transportation. Working group members learned about carbon pricing policies, heard proposals from four different legislators, talked with port districts in California, a state that through the implementation of carbon pricing strategies provided new opportunities to port districts.

The proposed policy statement clearly indicates that funding generated by carbon pricing must be dedicated to transportation spending; this vitally important work ensures that ports will have a place at the table when legislators take up carbon in 2021.

Additionally, we partnered with Rep. Jake Fey to convene two port-focused listening sessions; six members of the House Transportation Committee heard from ports about regional transportation needs, issues of inequity, and investing in opportunities for communities across Washington. WPPA also participated in two modal-specific listening sessions focused on the importance of multimodal investments.

WPPA invited 2020 Compass Award Winner Senator Curtis King to headline the October 27th Tuesday Roundtable to talk transportation.  During the hour he advised he is also working on a transportation proposal.  More details will emerge; however, his proposal will focus on shifting existing revenue from vehicle sales tax to the transportation budget.

As we head into the 2021 legislative session, WPPA continues to be actively engaged in transportation policy discussions.  You’ll hear more from us soon on our other legislative priorities, and ways you can engage with your Association to ensure success in the upcoming virtual Legislative Session.