Thank you to all of the citizens who came out last night, and who have written and called, to express their feelings about the City Council’s proposed 1% tax increase. As those of you who saw the deliberations know, it was a difficult decision for the council. We were faced with weighing the burdens on our struggling citizens and the burdens on a struggling budget, for services that serve those citizens.
I and some of my fellow councilors voted against the tax increase, because the revenue for the city would be a drop in the bucket. But the message sent by increasing taxes in such tough times would be terrible – it would be like saying, “we know you’re struggling, but we’re going to ask for more taxes anyway.”
When I campaigned to become your Mayor, my first and primary pledge was to examine city spending and make better use of your hard-earned tax dollars. We cannot continue to raise your taxes every time City Hall sees a shortfall – that is an attitude of the past. It is our responsibility, as your elected representatives, to spend your money wisely and in your best interests.
There will be some difficult decisions in coming months, as we reinforce and clarify our city’s priorities. But you have made yourselves heard and your wishes are clear: just as you, in home and business, are being forced to do much more with much less, so must your government.
Thanks once again to all of you who made yourselves heard, in person and in letters and phone calls. We need your input and participation on this and all matters. I and many of your council members make a solid and concerted effort to get out into the community and talk with and listen to you. But we need you to reach out, too—so thank you for doing so, and for helping us make informed decisions.
***
To shift gears a bit now, I am very excited to announce a couple of upcoming events on New Year’s Eve and January 20. More on these to come very soon … but let me just say right here, that if you don’t have plans yet for New Year’s Eve, you do now! Stay tuned …
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The REAL Story on Leavitt's Tolling Plan
A well-designed Columbia River Crossing (CRC) project is crucial to our entire region’s economy. Allowing for ease of movement and flow of freight, goods and people through our metro area is in the best economic interest of all 2+ million residents who call this seven-county region home. As we begin 2010, I am committed to working collaboratively with our project partners on both sides of the Columbia River to ensure that such an improvement is delivered to the citizens of our region. The need for this project is fairly easy to define:
Very simply, an upgraded crossing means better safety and travel throughout our region—for trucks, commuters, travelers, bikers and pedestrians.
Very simply, less traffic congestion means lower transportation costs, which results in a more affordable gallon of milk from the grocery store.
Very simply, less traffic congestion means less environmental pollution, which results in a cleaner Pacific Northwest.
Very simply, less traffic congestion and light rail transit means a more reliable commute for all workers on both sides of the river, which results in greater productivity.
But, very simply, we MUST have a project that is both affordable and financed fairly—resulting in a stronger partnership for our region.
The proposed project continues to be refined. Initial cost estimates were as high as $4.2 billion. Now, in response to concerns raised by much of our community and several project partners, CRC staff have proposed refinements and cost savings alternatives, shaving some $650 million off the price tag. This is a great step forward.
Now with a price tag of $3.6 billion, another big step is necessary – pinpointing appropriate and equitable financing to see this project come to fruition.
Our project partners must stand together, helping each other move this project forward without losing sight of its purpose. Locally, we must stand behind our state and federal representatives as they fight for transportation dollars for our region. In order to be successful they will need our support. But at the same time, our local officials must have the same support from these representatives as we work diligently to protect our local commuters and businesses from the project’s potentially significant and detrimental impacts.
Fortunately, there have lately been rumblings in Washington, DC, about possible stimulus funding for projects just like this one. Although the CRC project is not ‘shovel ready’, its status as a federal interstate and its potential impact on the entire region make it increasingly identifiable as a prime candidate for a stimulus-type project.
I continue to maintain that this project is a federal interstate project, and needs significant attention from the federal transit and highway administrations. Using the current estimate of $3.6 billion, the following is the breakdown that I feel is most equitable and appropriate for this project:
Federal: $2 billion.
Oregon: $500 million.
Washington: $500 million.
Local: $600 million.
The local portion could be financed by tolling, with exemptions to local commuters who must cross the bridge for work, and exemptions to local businesses conducting commerce between our two states.
This scenario establishes appropriate financial responsibility for the project and doesn’t penalize our commuters or businesses, but also requires an investment for all involved, that will ensure a commitment to seeing that the project is done right, and serves all of our needs as effectively and efficiently as possible.
If the project price is right; if we work together as regional partners; if we can fight on behalf of our communities without fighting amongst ourselves….we can get this done. I’ve got my work gloves ready.
Very simply, an upgraded crossing means better safety and travel throughout our region—for trucks, commuters, travelers, bikers and pedestrians.
Very simply, less traffic congestion means lower transportation costs, which results in a more affordable gallon of milk from the grocery store.
Very simply, less traffic congestion means less environmental pollution, which results in a cleaner Pacific Northwest.
Very simply, less traffic congestion and light rail transit means a more reliable commute for all workers on both sides of the river, which results in greater productivity.
But, very simply, we MUST have a project that is both affordable and financed fairly—resulting in a stronger partnership for our region.
The proposed project continues to be refined. Initial cost estimates were as high as $4.2 billion. Now, in response to concerns raised by much of our community and several project partners, CRC staff have proposed refinements and cost savings alternatives, shaving some $650 million off the price tag. This is a great step forward.
Now with a price tag of $3.6 billion, another big step is necessary – pinpointing appropriate and equitable financing to see this project come to fruition.
Our project partners must stand together, helping each other move this project forward without losing sight of its purpose. Locally, we must stand behind our state and federal representatives as they fight for transportation dollars for our region. In order to be successful they will need our support. But at the same time, our local officials must have the same support from these representatives as we work diligently to protect our local commuters and businesses from the project’s potentially significant and detrimental impacts.
Fortunately, there have lately been rumblings in Washington, DC, about possible stimulus funding for projects just like this one. Although the CRC project is not ‘shovel ready’, its status as a federal interstate and its potential impact on the entire region make it increasingly identifiable as a prime candidate for a stimulus-type project.
I continue to maintain that this project is a federal interstate project, and needs significant attention from the federal transit and highway administrations. Using the current estimate of $3.6 billion, the following is the breakdown that I feel is most equitable and appropriate for this project:
Federal: $2 billion.
Oregon: $500 million.
Washington: $500 million.
Local: $600 million.
The local portion could be financed by tolling, with exemptions to local commuters who must cross the bridge for work, and exemptions to local businesses conducting commerce between our two states.
This scenario establishes appropriate financial responsibility for the project and doesn’t penalize our commuters or businesses, but also requires an investment for all involved, that will ensure a commitment to seeing that the project is done right, and serves all of our needs as effectively and efficiently as possible.
If the project price is right; if we work together as regional partners; if we can fight on behalf of our communities without fighting amongst ourselves….we can get this done. I’ve got my work gloves ready.
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