The Dino Rossi Plan -- Providing Vital Transportation Funding

The state needs a major investment to pay for important transportation projects statewide. In the past, gas tax increases have been used to fund new transportation projects. But the gas tax has run out of gas as a source of revenue. Revenues are declining as vehicle mileage improves and more people begin to drive hybrid vehicles. A new source of revenue is needed to move important transportation projects forward. Rossi will provide this necessary funding that will strengthen our economy now and in the future.


• Less than half of revenue from vehicle sales taxes

The Rossi plan will dedicate less than half (40%) of the revenue from state sales taxes on new and used vehicles for 30 years to transportation projects. This provides approximately $7.711 billion in revenue. It is logical to invest a portion of transportation associated revenue back into our transportation system.


• Stop charging state sales tax on transportation projects

The practice of charging state sales tax on transportation projects made sense decades ago when the federal government provided the majority of funding for most transportation projects. But as the burden to pay for projects has shifted more and more to the state, it is no longer practical to continue charging ourselves state sales tax. This provides approximately $2.433 billion in savings.


• Half of the current and future eastside subarea equity Sound Transit surplus

The Rossi plan will dedicate half of the current and future eastside subarea equity Sound Transit surplus to HOV projects on I-405 and S.R. 520. Sound Transit’s accruing eastside subarea surplus should be used for what it was intended - to finance transit related infrastructure on the eastside. This provides approximately $690 million.


• Reasonable tolling

Reasonable tolls on the S.R. 520 bridge will be charged as a way to help fund the new replacement bridge. Tolls may be necessary to help pay for new infrastructure, but should not be used on existing roads and bridges. Tolls will not start until the project is delivered, will only be used to pay for specific projects and will end once the project has been paid for. Tolls should not be used to control driving behaviors or as a way to force people out of their cars.