³ÉÈËXÕ¾

MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Governor ‘extremely disappointed’ by legislative failure

Mar 13, 2014, 9:21 AM | Updated: 11:43 am

The state Legislature will adjourn sometime Thursday without passing a new transportation budget.

Governor Jay Inslee told TVW Thursday morning he’s “extremely disappointed.”

“We have declining roads and bridges, we’re going to have emergent safety issues, we’re going to be losing ferry service, very significant. In King County, 80,000 will be affected by losing bus service.”

Both the House and Senate have considered proposals to fund multi-billion dollar transportation budgets, in part, with an 11.5 cent a gallon increase in the state gasoline tax.

Inslee made no mention of calling for a special session to deal with transportation.

“Next year, we’ll have a very difficult challenge for the Legislature to fully fund or take the next big step in funding our educational system. At the same time, we have these unfunded issues in our roads and bridges and bus services,” Inslee said.

The governor said he’s excited to sign legislation improving mental health care coverage and a bill to allow undocumented youth to become eligible for state financial aid at public colleges and universities.

Gov. Inslee has a bill signing session scheduled in Olympia for Thursday afternoon.

MyNorthwest News

Bellevue police...

James Lynch

Bellevue police launch emphasis patrols after 163% spike in speeding tickets

Bellevue police intensify patrols after a 163% rise in speeding tickets, aiming to enhance road safety.

4 hours ago

aircraft fuelers...

Frank Sumrall

Over 150 Sea-Tac aircraft fuelers vote ‘overwhelmingly’ to authorize strike

More than 150 fuelers at Sea-Tac voted to strike after contract talks fail, threatening airport operations and traveler convenience.

5 hours ago

The scene as police respond to a protest on UW campus. (Photo courtesy of ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ 7)...

Jonah Oaklief and Frank Sumrall

4 face judge after chaotic protest, standoff at UW ends in 32 arrests

Four appeared in court Tuesday after a protest at the University of Washington led to 32 arrests.

6 hours ago

wildfires wa...

Luke Duecy

WA concerned federal government won’t help fight wildfires this year

State officials are sounding the alarm over a lack of federal resources and support in a year the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) predicts will be an "above-average" year for wildfires, especially across Eastern Washington.

8 hours ago

benson boone beautiful things...

MyNorthwest Staff

WA pop star to bring ‘beautiful things’ to Climate Pledge Arena

Benson Boone, the Monroe-raised pop sensation and Grammy-nominated breakout star, has announced his first headlining arena tour — and he’s coming home to the Climate Pledge. 

10 hours ago

king county lawsuit...

Frank Sumrall

King County joins national lawsuit challenging new conditions to receive federal grant money

King County joined seven other jurisdictions in a lawsuit against HUD and FTA after more conditions were added in order to grant funding to local governments.

13 hours ago

Governor ‘extremely disappointed’ by legislative failure