House Bill 1959, which would provide local funding options for transit that could help King County Metro to avoid deep service cuts next year, passed out of the House Transportation Committee on March 1 and is now awaiting a floor vote. Rep. Jessyn Farrell, who sponsored the bill, is encouraging transit riders to CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS.
This bill would authorize a county Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) of up to 1.5% of vehicle value; 60% of the revenue would go to public transit, the other 40% to local road maintenance. An MVET is more progressive than a flat car tab fee, and this is definitely the most promising piece of legislation currently being considered for King County Metro. But it’s going to have a tough time making through the House and especially the Senate.
Here is Rep. Farrell’s guest post in today’s Stranger: https://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/03/07/16188893-please-help-me-save-metro-bus-service