Governor’s veto of linkage between carbon and transportation is problematic

The Washington Public Ports Association convened a carbon and transportation workgroup in early 2020 to help guide the WPPA to a policy position on carbon taxation that would best represent the interests of the ports across the state. On the one hand, ports recognize the harmful effects that greenhouse gases have on the environment, and on the other, ports believe carbon reduction revenue should be channeled into the economy and future of Washington state through funding transportation infrastructure projects. Our resulting statement affirmed our support of carbon reduction efforts while tying any such resultant revenues to providing desperately-needed funding to transportation.

Governor Inslee’s disappointing veto severs the linkage between carbon reduction and a future transportation package —and it opens the possibility that a new transportation revenue package has become even more difficult to pass.

The Cap & Trade legislation has two key pieces that advanced transportation funding and was supported by ports: $5.2B for transportation investments which reduce carbon emissions and a prohibition on the implementation of the Cap & Trade program until after the passage of new revenue for transportation.

 Additionally, this bill only provides a portion of the new revenue needed for transportation. Without more comprehensive sources of transportation funding, there is no new money for systemwide maintenance & preservation, important mobility projects like replacement of the I-5 bridge, the US 2 trestle or completion of SR 18.

We are pleased that $5.2B remains in the bill for transportation, including funding for rail, maritime and other port activities. This important funding will help ports across the state serve their residents and stimulate local economic activity.

That said, WPPA is engaged in partnering with stakeholders who understand the deep importance of generating new transportation funding for Washington. These partnerships will allow us to continue to push for interim action on a transportation package.

You can read the full story on the Seattle Times here: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/inslee-signs-climate-bills-but-vetoes-parts-tying-them-to-transportation-package/