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SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION MOTION

TO OPPOSE PASSAGE OF INITIATIVE 1125,

ENTITLED THE “PROTECT GAS-TAXES AND TOLL REVENUES ACT AND

PROTECT THE 18TH AMENDMENT TO WASHINGTON’S CONSTITUTION”

OCTOBER 11, 2011

to Puget Sound ports and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is essential to fostering the

growth of Washington State business sectors that depend on efficient access to international and

domestic markets.

Improvements must be made in the region’s and state’s transportation system to relieve

bottlenecks in high traffic areas to speed the movement of air and water-borne commerce, ease

congestion and increase safety, yet sufficient funding is lacking for the maintenance and

improvement of the transportation system due to the decline in gasoline tax revenue, the

economic downturn and the loss of other funding sources.

As sources of transportation funding have waned, toll revenues have been identified as

essential components of project funding of regional and statewide importance, including the

efficiently, and increase the benefit to all users of the system.

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Initiative 1125, which will be considered by the state’s voters November 8, 2011, would

severely restrict the state’s ability to use toll revenues for several critical transportation projects

around the state. The effect could be delay and higher costs for these projects, at a time when

revenues are declining and the state’s economy badly needs construction employment.

The initiative seeks to remove toll-setting authority from the non-partisan Washington

State Transportation Commission, placing it in the hands of the State Legislature. Today, the

Transportation Commission sets tolls based on recommendation from local advisory committees.

In the view of the State Treasurer, subjecting toll-setting to the politics of the State

tool for the (SR-520) bridge. Gas tax or other revenues would be necessary to issue bonds,

reducing overall capacity to finance transportation projects, which may impact future

expenditures.”

Other provisions of Initiative 1125 would possibly block the use of Interstate 90 across

Lake Washington for Sound Transit light rail, as the voters have approved, by prohibiting the use

of toll revenues for funding non-highway purposes; prohibit uses of toll revenues for

maintenance and future construction of facilities; and deny the state the ability to use variable

pricing strategies to increase tolls at periods of peak demand to reduce congestion and maximize

the efficient use of facilities throughout the transportation system.

The initiative has been opposed by a wide range of business, community, labor and

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an important component of funding of transportation infrastructure necessary to

creating jobs, maintaining healthy ports and ensuring the state’s competitive position

in the global economy.

2. The existing authority of the Washington State Transportation Commission ensures a

stable and predictable process to provide revenues sufficient for transportation project

needs, set tolls to maximize efficiency and reduce congestion; and further provides

appropriate security for bondholders, thus keeping costs low.

3. The Commission urges the state’s voters to reject Initiative 1125 on November 8,

2011.

4. The Port Commission directs the Chief Executive Officer to disseminate this motion

to appropriate Washington State officials and interested parties, including but not

limited to, the Governor of Washington State, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives and the House Minority Leader, the Senate Majority Leader and the