Washington state wants to get out of the ferry business.
Last week, Gov. Chris Gregoire announced her plan to transfer control of the state ferry system to a new Puget Sound regional ferry district, which would be able to tax residents in ferry-served Western Washington counties.
During a conference call with Washington State Ferries head David Moseley, San Juan County Council Member Howie Rosenfeld, who also chairs the County’s Ferry Advisory Committee, expressed concern over the “Balkanization” of the state transportation system, saying that the system can’t function efficiently if it is dealt with piece by piece.
“The ferry system is an integral part of the state transportation system,” he said. “Taking the ferries and putting it on the backs of regional taxing districts sets a precedent for state transportation projects. Are they going to do this for roads or bridges?”
The proposal includes all or portions of Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. According to the Olympic News Bureau, the Puget Sound Regional Ferry District would be funded by fares, a state subsidy, and a regional taxing authority, which Gregoire said will be decided by the district and will only affect the nine previously mentioned counties.
Under Gregoire’s plan, the state would continue to fund the system at approximately its current dollar level after the regional authority takes over the system in about two years. Along with the fleet of boats and the terminals, the authority will inherit responsibility for a projected ten-year, $900 million operating and capital deficit.
“The proposal has to go through a number of hoops before it goes to a vote from the state legislature,” Rosenfeld said. “It might die right away, who knows? She’s throwing it out there and will see if it sticks.”
Council Member Lovel Pratt questioned whether San Juan County, with its small population and total dependence on the ferry system, could be adequately represented in a regional authority that will be dominated by King and other populous counties.
Council Chair Richard Fralick said he was concerned that as the state continues to feel financial strains, it might cut back or even phase out the state’s contribution to the ferry system.
Washington State Ferries (WSF) lost 20 percent of its operating support and 75 percent of its dedicated capital funding when voters approved Initiative 695 in 1999 and the Legislature enacted the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax reductions during the 2000 legislative session.
Sens. Mary Margaret Haugen, (D-Camano Island), who is also chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Jim Hargrove, (D-Hoquiam), Derek Kilmer, (D-Gig Harbor), Kevin Ranker, (D-San Juan Island), Tim Sheldon, (D-Potlatch) issued a release on Jan. 6 stating their opposition to the creation of a ferry district.
Said Ranker, “The purpose of a state highway system is for all the people of Washington state to benefit. We must remember that thousands of Washingtonians depend upon ferries to get them to work, school or to receive medical care. Ensuring a high level of service is critical in these economic times … I believe that we are one state united in commerce, recreation, and trade. I do not believe that regionalizing our transportation system will help us emerge stronger and more united from this recession. The working families I represent deserve the same support for their transportation needs as working families across the state. I will continue to work with the Governor to develop solutions that will provide the necessary infrastructure for all communities to benefit.”
How to respond
San Juan County and the Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) has asked local residents to comment on the Governor’s proposal. Residents can comment and see how others are reacting by going to the FAC web page: here (Click on the “Feedback” Link).
