On Friday, Governor Inslee held a press conference to urge the Legislature to pass a transportation revenue package this session. The Governor was joined by Roger Millar, Director of Washington State Transportation, Sam Zimbabwe, Director of Seattle Department of Transportation, Girmay Zahilay, King County Councilmember, Fred Felleman, Port of Seattle Commissioner, and Nicole Grant, MLK Labor Council.

During the press conference, Governor Inslee emphasized the immediate and pressing need for investments in maintenance and preservation of the state’s transportation system. Secretary Millar added that to decrease maintenance costs, the state must invest in the preservation of our current system. While maintenance of our current system slows the rate of decline, investing in preservation projects prepares the state’s transportation system for the future of intrastate mobility.

Councilmember Zahilay spoke to the need for transportation investments to address inequities in our current system. Many low-income communities of color experience the consequences of residing in “transportation deserts”: reliable and accessible transportation services allow vulnerable communities to access medical care, education, employment opportunities, and ensure food security.

Finally, Governor Inslee encouraged the Legislature to adopt a transportation revenue package that not only focuses on maintenance and preservation, and historical inequities, but also prioritizes clean and non-polluting transportation investments.

AWC is supportive of a transportation revenue package.