Sidney ferry run in Senate budget

Haugen, chairperson of the Senate Transportation Committee, made the announcement at a news conference Wednesday. She said “We really worked to prioritize with our limited resources.”

Governor Christine Gregoire had proposed eliminating the Sidney run, which she said would save the state $9.2 million. Under the Governor’s proposed budget, the Sidney runs would end by the end of September this year.

The Sidney run could be eliminated. The House version of the state budget is due out next week. Then the Senate and House will try to resolve differences. Plans to replace the Anacortes ferry terminal are not in the Senate budget, but federal stimulus funds might be available to pay for it.