Motion 2019-11 – Opposing Initiative 976 Page 1 of 3
MOTION 2019-11:
A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
opposing Initiative 976, a ballot proposition that would
significantly hamper the ability of the State of Washington
and local government entities from adequately funding
transportation infrastructure.
The title of Initiative 976: Initiative Measure No. 976
concerns motor vehicle taxes and fees. This measure
would repeal, reduce, or remove authority to impose
certain vehicle taxes and fees; limit annual motor-vehicle-
license fees to $30, except voter-approved charges; and
base vehicle taxes on Kelley Blue Book value.
ADOPTED
OCTOBER 22, 2019
INTRODUCTION
Initiative 976 would jeopardize billions in critical transportation funding ($4.2 billion over six
years, according to the state’s Office of Financial Management, including funds for critical
regional corridors like the Puget Sound Gateway program, voter-approved Sound Transit
system expansion projects, municipal road maintenance, and more.
TEXT OF THE MOTION
The Port of Seattle Commission hereby expresses its opposition to Initiative 976, a proposal
that would drastically reduce the amount of funding available for critical statewide
transportation projects. As a public government entity charged with operating transportation
facilities in service of regional economic growth and passenger mobility, this initiative poses a
direct threat to the Port’s ability to carry out its mission. We partner with the State of
Washington and municipal partners on infrastructure development and must oppose any effort
to hinder the ability of those partners to collect revenue to fund transportation infrastructure.
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
Under RCW Title 53, the statute that enumerates the powers granted to port districts, ports are
charged with the development of transportation facilities. This is the essential function of ports,
and an acknowledgment that transportation infrastructure—be it port terminals, an airport
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runway, or a state highway – are shared resources that are developed by government entities
for use by the public. Ports were specifically created by voters in Washington state to combat
the potential dominance of private industry along the waterfront, and represent the core
Washington state value that the public owns the waterfront. At the Port of Seattle, we use
public resources collected through our taxing authority to leverage private sector investment
and partnerships with other public entities to maximize regional economic development.
The Port’s partnership with the State of Washington on the replacement of the Alaskan Way
Viaduct is a recent and illustrative example of the regional, and indeed statewide, gains that
can be made through such partnership. The Port of Seattle contributed $275 million to that
project, out of a total cost estimated at $4.1 billion. Other partners included Washington State,
City of Seattle and King County. Additional projects where the Port and the State of Washington
have partnered include 1) the Puget Sound Gateway Program, connecting growers and shippers
in Central and Eastern Washington with seaport and airport facilities needed to get their goods
to market, and 2) the FAST Corridor, a critical project to reduce the impact of freight congestion
on communities, Sound Transit Link Light Rail to Sea-Tac Airport, and the South Park Bridge, to
support failing infrastructure in a near-by Port community.
In addition, Initiative 976 would greatly reduce funding options for cities, who provide vital
services such as preservation and construction of roads, and provision of transit services. For
cities that use Transportation Benefit Districts, the initiative would eliminate $60 million in
transportation revenue every year. The City of Seattle is one such municipality, and it also
partnered with the Port on efforts to ensure that our industrial operations on the waterfront
can coexist with non-freight users in the city, and promote public safety and efficient
movement for all modes. The Safe and Swift Corridor and the Heavy Haul Corridor are both
examples of key partnerships with the City that would be jeopardized by the passage of
Initiative 976.
The impact of Initiative 976 on transit has troubling implications on transportation equity, and
the Port of Seattle Commission has made the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion a
core consideration as we carry out our state-authorized mission to support economic
development. Passage of the initiative would not only harm the ability of cities to build
infrastructure and partner with entities such as the state and port districts to reduce
congestion, it would also diminish the availability of transit services. Transit keeps single-
occupancy vehicles off roads, promoting mobility for all modes. But it also is key to providing
economic opportunity to historically underserved groups, who may live far from urban centers
and need transportation options to support fair employment. Therefore, from a social justice
and economic equity perspective, the implications of Initiative 976 are concerning.
In addition to the deleterious impacts Initiative 976 would have on city road and transit funding
and state transportation funding across the board, it would also harm Sound Transit 3,
approved by voters in 2016. Because of how the initiative is written, it is not clear yet what the
exact impact to Sound Transit would be. However, estimates have pointed to a potential $20
billion hit to Sound Transit 3, which was a $54 billion package overall. The success of Sound
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Transit 3 has broad implications for the Port, including in our efforts to promote light rail access
to the airport. Meanwhile, the West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions, and the Sounder South
Expansion, are key to reducing congestion and speeding the movement of freight, and serve as
additional examples of negative outcomes that could result from passage of I-976.
For the reasons outlined in the above statement, the Port of Seattle views potential adoption of
Initiative 976 as a direct threat to its core mission of promoting economic development and
developing industrial facilities to serve regional trade activity.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ATTACHED
Full text of Initiative 976, as submitted to the Washington Secretary of State
