“These difficult times require bold action to not only save taxpayer money but to improve the way the state does business and serves the public,” said Governor Chris Gregoire.
The proposed change would shift the burden of supporting the ferry system from the state to the counties around Puget Sound.
Washington State Ferries make 180,000 trips and carry 23 million passengers and 10 million cars annually. It is the largest ferry system in the nation, yet remains underfunded year after year
The ferry system has lost more than $1.2 billion in funding since 1999 when voters repealed the motor vehicle excise tax, or MVET, with Initiative 695. According to the national Passenger Vehicle Association, this lack of stable funding is a critical challenge to the system’s sustainability and level of service. The system faces a $900 million shortfall over the next ten years.
“Rather than patch together funding for the ferries for another 2 years and subject ferry riders and communities to more uncertainty, I believe it is time to take bold action so the system is sustainable, safe and accessible,” Gregoire said. “A regional district will give the communities and families who depend on the ferries the stability and control they deserve.”
The governor will introduce legislation to create a Puget Sound Regional Ferry District to operate the ferry system. The district would consist of all or a portion of the following counties: Clallam, Jefferson, Kitsap, Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, King and Pierce counties. The district’s funds would come from fares, a state subsidy to fund a core level of service, and regional taxing authority to ensure service levels are consistent with local and regional needs.
After the Legislature creates the district, an interim board needs to form to begin discussions with the state about the level of state funding and other details. Once those discussions conclude, the Legislature would need to approve the state’s subsidy.
Meanwhile, the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce is collecting signatures on petitions asking that service not be cut in the coming 2 years. Petitions are available at the Chamber office in downtown Anacortes. Or, contact Duane Clark at 293-8088.