House Republicans propose to ‘get REAL’ with transportation funding

November 17, 2021

House Republican lawmakers in Olympia are proposing to “get REAL” with transportation funding. A new state transportation funding plan was released today (Wednesday) and comes with a twist. John Sattgast reports from the state Capitol.

SATTGAST: It's called the REAL Act – REAL for Reprioritizing Existing Appropriations for Longevity.

Instead of relying on shrinking revenue in the state's transportation budget, the Republican plan would use untapped surplus money from the state's general fund to complete long-standing unfinished highway projects. Taxes from the sales of vehicles would also be redirected from the burgeoning general fund toward maintenance and preservation of highways, roads, and bridges.

Representative Andrew Barkis is the ranking Republican on the House Transportation Committee.

BARKIS: “The bills that I am proposing can raise approximately three-point-two billion dollars a biennium without raising taxes. This is using existing revenue coming into the state of Washington, reprioritizing it from the general fund, and putting it into the transportation arena.”

SATTGAST: Barkis says his plan provides a “REAL” solution for Washington's transportation system when the Legislature convenes January 10th.

John Sattgast, the state Capitol.