According to the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII), as the Washington state legislature gears up for a third special session to settle transportation issues, insurance industry representatives are applauding a recently enacted transportation budget bill that includes funding for red-light cameras pilot projects.
Michael Harrold, Northwest egional manager for the NAII state that although this outcome is not quite as sweeping as the passage of SB 5610, a stand-alone bill supported by the NAII, the legislature has made substantial progress on the red-light camera issue.
Washington Governor Gary Locke last month signed three budget bills that were passed by the legislature before the second special session adjourned on June 21. Gov. Locke approved a $22.8 billion operating budget, a $2.5 billion capital budget, and a $3.4 billion “current law” transportation budget.
The budgets are intended to fund state activities during the 2001-2003 biennium that begins on July 1.
The “current law” transportation budget, so named because it includes funding based on current tax law, includes four pilot projects for red light cameras. Although Gov. Locke signed the $3.4 billion “current law” transportation budget, he described it as “woefully inadequate” in the face of serious traffic congestion problems. Locke called for a third special session of the legislature to convene on July 16 to consider a “new law” tax and spending plan for transportation. The highly disputed “new law” budget will involve tax proposals to fund road, rail, transit and ferry projects.
Negotiations between the governor and key legislative leaders will continue as the third special session approaches. Locke expressed his appreciation to legislative leaders in the House and Senate for moving the operating budget through the legislature in time to avoid a government shutdown. House Republican leaders, however, expressed concern about the plan, saying it will cause the legislature to either raise taxes or cut vital public services. Despite their concerns, House Republicans asked three of their members to vote for the measure to avoid a government shutdown.
Topics Legislation Washington
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