SAMMAMISH REVIEW
Metro Continued from Page 3
Forging a ‘bipartisan agreement’ Hague lobbied state legislators to permit the County Council to enact a temporary fee to shore up funding for mass transit. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the legislation in May. “This bipartisan agreement addresses my primary concerns and offers real reform for Metro,” Hague said in a statement. “It’s critical that we keep people and businesses moving on the Eastside — especially during these tough economic times. This new package creates jobs and provides equity for the Eastside.” In June, Constantine proposed creating a $20 vehicle-tab fee — billed as a congestion-reduction charge — for 2012-13 to generate funds for Metro Transit. Under the state legislation, the fee is due to go into effect six months after Constantine signs the measure into law. The initial proposal attracted support from the Democrats on the council, but not enough to clear the supermajority threshold needed to enact the change. Republicans Lambert and Hague negotiated for reforms to Metro Transit in exchange for support. (The council is nonpartisan, although members often caucus along party lines.) “We’re working together in a bipartisan fashion, unlike those in Washington, D.C.,” Lambert said in a statement. “People in these uncertain economic times need certainty that they have an alternative method, such as buses, to get to work. There are many systemic changes in the new package that will help meet the needs of efficiency, transparency and providing transportation.” County Council members heard from more than 1,000 people at a series of public hearings in the days before a planned July 25 decision on the fee. The council opted to shift the decision to Aug. 15 to allow for a possible solution. “Today’s developments are the result of hours of public testimony, hundreds of messages and thousands of emails about the vital role Metro plays in the lives of King County residents,” Councilman Joe McDermott said
August 17, 2011 •
in a statement. “My colleagues and I will continue to work together to find long-term, sustainable funding for Metro to keep our region moving for years to come.” Some changes could still occur The push to enact the fee attracted broad support from Eastside and Seattle business groups, environmental organizations, organized labor and major employers, such as Microsoft and the University of Washington. The groups joined together and advocated for the fee as the Transit Rescue Coalition. “We recognize this is a difficult vote while we are still recovering from a tough recession,” states a letter written by coalition members. “But we believe that all citizens will pay far more in transportation costs and time by the loss of dependable, frequent bus service.” Metro Transit planned to start widespread service cuts in February if the council did not enact the fee. Jim Jacobson, Metro Transit deputy general manager, said the agency intends to examine lesspopular routes for possible reductions. “If there are routes that just aren’t performing very well, look at ways to make adjustments to those and invest in places where you’re going to get better ridership,” he said. Still, despite the council agreement, riders should expect some changes to route and service, especially on routes along the urban-rural boundary in East King County. “It does not mean there will not be any changes to the system, but reducing the system 17 percent is off the table for two years,” Jacobson said. Reach reporter Warren Kagarise at 392-6434, ext. 234, or wkagarise@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
Budget
Kevin Average student-teacher ratio Teeley, president of the Grades K-1 – Last year- 19:1 This year- 20:1 Continued from Page 1 Lake Grades 2-3 – Last year- 23.9:1, This year - 25:1 Washington Grade 4 – Last year- 25.12:1, This year – 26.75:1 Education Grades 5-6 – Remains at 26.75: 1 both be aimed at helping the Association, Grades 7-12 – Remains at 29.4: 1 district transition from a said teachers three-year to a four-year high saw the two school system in the 2012 additional days for the same pay as well as an income tax last year. school year. as a good compromise that would “When you add it up I think Sixth grade will move from maintain teachers’ paychecks the legislature did pretty damn the district’s elementary while doing the best for students. well patching (the budget) togethschools to the middle schools Teeley shares Kimball’s fruser with literally no tax increases,” and ninth grade will move tration with the state’s recent Springer said. “When it came from the middle schools to cuts but says the district is fortudown to cutting funding for the high schools. nate that its taxpayers continue paraeducators or cutting breast One of the extra days will to support the district with local cancer screening for low-income be a teacher work day allowlevy dollars. women … We had to look at it as, ing staff that will be switching “It would be one thing if (this ‘Who is going to die from these schools to become acquainted. year’s cuts) were the only ones,” decisions?’” The second will do the same Teeley said. “But it’s cut after cut Since 2009, the state has cut for children — students will after cut piled $13 million in funds to the dismeet their “We had to look at it as, up year after trict that had been aimed at keepteachers in the next ‘Who is going to die from year. We’re for- ing down class sizes in K-4 classtunate in Lake rooms, forcing the district to grade and if these decisions?’” Washington bump up their average class size they are School District ratios in those grades by a child switching – Larry Springer, that our citior two. schools will State Representative – zens support “The important thing is that get a field their public we were able to keep (employtrip to the schools at the polls …. The trouees’ salaries) whole and impact new location. ble is that not every district the classrooms the least we pos“Since there are so many around the state has that same sibly could,” Board President changes going on, this helps situation.” Jackie Pendergrass said. “The students learn about what the State Rep. Larry Springer (Dlegislature felt that school disnext year is going to be like,” tricts could use their levy dollars district spokeswoman Kathryn 45), who represents a state house district which largely overlaps to help bail them out … That’s Reith said. “Hopefully that the school district, said he doesnot something they can continue leads to a little less tension n’t blame the school district for to count on.” and fear.” their displeasure, but said the legKimball noted at the meetislature was faced with an Reporter Caleb Heeringa can be ing that in fall 2012, half of “untenable” situation. reached at 392-6434. ext. 247, or high school students and twoThe recession led to a $12 bilcheeringa@isspress.com. To comthirds of middle school stulion budget deficit and voters ment on this story, visit dents will be in a new buildrejected a tax on candy and soda www.SammamishReview.com. ing.
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