Drafter
Clerk 09/01/2010
Title
A MOTION related to creating jobs and meeting mobility needs through action by the United States Congress on a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization act.
Body
WHEREAS, though Motion 13202, the King County council has established priorities to promote local employment opportunities and economic recovery and to increase mobility options throughout King County, and
WHEREAS, investment in public mobility infrastructure such as roads, bridges, transit systems, intermodal, and non-motorized facilities delivers construction and construction-related jobs, and
WHEREAS, investment in public transportation supports the livability of the Puget Sound area through meeting the mobility needs of people and businesses, and
WHEREAS, the Puget Sound Regional Council distributes tens of millions of regional and local transportation dollars as allocated by federal surface transportation programs, and
WHEREAS, the federal surface transportation programs, beginning in 1991 with adoption of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act ("ISTEA"), followed by the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century ("TEA 21") and then the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users ("SAFETEA-LU"), have been a dramatic policy success by increasing federal highway and public transportation funding, encouraging multimodalism and rewarding local innovation and partnership through the Surface Transportation Program and other flexible programs, and
WHEREAS, Sound Transit's Central Link Light Rail system, King County's RapidRide bus service, expansion of the Puget Sound region High Occupancy Vehicle road network, and funding for the South Park Bridge Program are examples of regional transportation successes made possible in part by ISTEA, TEA 21 and SAFETEA-LU, and
WHEREAS, SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009, and
WHEREAS, short-term extensions of SAFETEA-LU have enabled state and local surface transportation programs to continue to receive essential federal support, and
WHEREAS, federal aid through SAFETEA-LU, the American Relief and Recovery Act, and other legislation has been an essential means of averting some of the most devastating impacts of the recession for transportation programs, and
WHEREAS, enactment of a multiyear federal surface transportation authorization act is essential to:
1. Create national, regional and local jobs;
2. Support the long-term economic sustainability of our region; and
3. Meet and preserve the mobility needs of people, goods and services in a way that reflects current climate change and energy objectives; and
4. Promote sound long-term planning, multiagency cooperation, infrastructure preservation, and public transportation, and
WHEREAS, reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU is also a high priority for the National Association of Counties, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the American Public Transit Association and other national organizations representing transportation agencies, counties and other local governments;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. King County hereby supports a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization act that:
1. Creates jobs now;
2. Maintains and enhances federal partnerships with states, local governments and public transportation agencies;
3. Increases funding for highway and transit programs;
4. Supports intermodal commerce;
5. Embraces innovative and equitable solutions to the erosion of Highway Trust Fund revenues; and
6. Addresses the environmental impacts of the transportation system, condition of essential roadways and bridges, and the growing demand for public transportation; and
B. King County encourages timely consideration by the United States Congress
of a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization act meeting county-supported objectives and supported by a full funding package.