Drafter
Clerk 07/18/2011
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AN ORDINANCE directing the submission to the qualified voters of King County of a proposition approving a two-year congestion reduction charge of twenty dollars on vehicle registration renewals in King County for operations of the King County Metro public transportation system so the system can continue to play a critical role in reducing the region's traffic congestion; appointing a committee to write the voters' pamphlet statement for the November 8, 2011, general election; and imposing the charge subject to voter approval.
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STATEMENT OF FACTS:
1. The 2011 Washington state Legislature adopted Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5457, which became Chapter 373, Laws of Washington 2011, which amends chapter 82.80 RCW, to provide the King County council authority to submit to the voters for approval a temporary two-year congestion reduction charge of twenty dollars on vehicle registration renewals to allow Metro transit to continue to provide the current level of transit service that helps reduce congestion and the corresponding burdens placed on local roads and highways.
2. Approval of the congestion reduction charge would enable Metro transit to reduce congestion by avoiding net transit service cuts in the 2012-2013 biennium that could result in the loss of an estimated nine million passenger trips annually and lead to an associated increase in traffic congestion.
3. Proceeds from the charge would reduce congestion by enabling Metro transit to maintain service at current levels. The proceeds from this temporary charge will also allow the county and Metro transit to avoid future service cuts that would lead to increased congestion by working with other transit agencies, regional leaders and the Washington state Legislature to craft a long-term funding solution for transit and other local and state-wide transportation needs.
4. Sustaining current levels of bus service is particularly important now to help people cope with hi...

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