Nonprofit Partners for Prosperity

the organizations who care for your families and your communities

What is Initiative 912?
Initiative 912 asks voters to repeal the new gas tax authorized by the 2005 Legislature. This tax is phased in over four years – rising from 3 ¢ per gallon in July 2005 to 9.5 ¢ per gallon in July 2008. The new tax was authorized after several years of negotiation among community leaders, transportation planners and legislators.

 

What will it fund?

The gas tax will fully fund 241 safety and capacity projects affecting roads, bridges and ferries throughout the state in the plan the legislature approved. Several major projects that are partially funded include a replacement Alaskan Way Viaduct and improvements to the 520 Bridge, I-5, I-405 and SR 167 in the Puget Sound region, US 395 in Spokane , I-205 in Clark County , I-90 east of Snoqualmie Pass , and the Hood Canal Bridge .

 

This new tax package is one of several anticipated revenue sources addressing the need to replace failing and outdated highways, bridges, ferries and docks – both for the so-called “mega-projects” that will cost multiple billions of dollars each and for hundreds of other smaller improvements. Federal and regional funds authorized to the Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) are the major sources expected to complete the large, complex and costly projects.

 

Who are we and why do we care?

Nonprofit Partners in Prosperity brings together many nonprofit organizations in central Puget Sound who believe that nonprofits play a vital role in thriving communities and a healthy economy. Congestion on our state's highways undermines the effectiveness of these organizations by adding predictable costs and unpredictable delays to their work. Hazardous conditions place our employees at risk just as they do other wage-earners who use the highways, ports and ferries. Hazards and congestion are even more damaging to the populations we serve and the communities we work to build.

 

When the full tax is in effect, in 2008, the typical Washington driver will pay less than $6.00 per month in additional taxes toward 271 transportation improvements in every part of the state . The list of projects was developed by the Legislature in consultation with the Department of Transportation and local officials throughout Washington . It is based on careful analysis of patterns of growing congestion and increasingly hazardous conditions. The portion of this tax that will go toward “mega projects” is necessary to complement funding from other sources.

 

The Department of Transportation has demonstrated transparency, accountability , efficiency and sound engineering in the maintenance of thousands of miles of Washington highways and the completion of hundreds of projects – in cooperation with other governments – throughout the state.

We believe this record will continue as work funded by the new gas tax proceeds.

 

Nonprofit Partners in Prosperity urges nonprofits throughout Washington State to provide information about I-912 to their communities, employees and other stakeholders.

Nonprofit Partners for Prosperity

the organizations who care for your families and your communities

INITIATIVE 912 – Vote no on 912. Vote no on neglect.

We don't neglect our families, we don't neglect our communities.
We can't neglect our safety – now or in the future.

C O M M U N I T Y	Proponents of 912 claim that the tax will hurt poor people. Bad roads, impassable traffic and unsafe bridges hurt everyone. Bad roads, impassable traffic and unsafe bridges hurt poor families and young people even more because they have fewer opportunities to avoid these dangers and inconveniences. Improved bridges, roads, highways and ferries make it easier to get to work and school in the morning, to the daycare in the afternoon and back home in the evening. The gas tax will cost a typical Washington driver $1.29 a week when the full 9.5¢ rate takes effect in July 2008. That works out to $5.60 a month – less than the price of a movie ticket! By voting against 912, we're sending the legislature a message – the message that we're willing to make investments in our future. Without these new investments, traffic won't get better and will get worse.
P R O J E C T S	The new gas tax increase provides funding for 274 projects throughout the state. 241 of those projects will be completed with money from this gas tax. Every citizen in the state will benefit from better roads and safer bridges. And we'll fix problems before they become crises. These projects will make capacity and safety improvements in every part of the state. From Whatcom County ($50.6 million) to Walla Walla County ($60.2 million), every citizen in the state will benefit from better roads and safer bridges. Only two of 43 King County projects will require further federal and state funding before they can be completed: the worn-out 520 bridge and the earthquake-damaged viaduct. Other priorities include safer interchanges on SR 18, HOV lanes on Aurora Avenue and ferry dock improvements. WSDOT has an excellent record of completing projects on time and at or under budget. None of the state gas tax goes to monorail or light rail in Seattle . Gas taxes can only to be spent on highways, ferries and bridges – as guaranteed in the 18th Amendment of Washington 's constitution.
E C O N O M Y	Washington 's ports benefit everyone. Producers and consumers in both Eastern and Western Washington depend on efficient and reliable connections throughout the state and the world. Businesses won't locate in a community that neglects its infrastructure in a global economy. The transportation package means employment throughout Washington . In the short term, these projects will employ 70,000 construction workers in family-wage jobs. Washington's transportation affects everyone – farmers, manufacturers, business owners, families, workers, tourists. Everyone!