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Goethe on trade and transportation

In Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy, the second part of our series Trade and Transportation, we look at export activity and the ports. There is stiff competition among ports for export business. Traditionally, Washington’s biggest competitors have been other ports on the U.S. west coast. . . . Washington’s ports face additional competition on the […]

New policy brief: Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy

We have posted a new policy brief titled Export Activity Boosts Washington’s Economy. The brief can be downloaded through this link. This is the second brief in our series Trade and Transportation.

New brief: Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail

In a new policy brief, Trade-Dependent Washington Relies on Rail, we take a look at the rail system in Washington, including funding sources and traffic estimates. As we conclude, Our state’s ability to maintain its nation-leading position as a hub for domestic and international trade depends on speedy, safe, and reliable transportation connections. Privately-owned freight […]

2013 action on transportation

In May, a 2013–15 transportation appropriations bill, ESSB 5024, was enacted. According to the House Office of Program Research, the budget includes “a continuation of budgetary activity but no significant new transportation projects.” Considering all fund sources, it is an $8.7 billion budget ($5.2 billion of which is for capital projects). Some of the projects […]

I-5 bridge collapse should rekindle commitment to improving transportation infrastructure

Yesterday’s bridge collapse calls our attention again to the state’s transportation infrastructure – roads, bridges, and so on. Seattle Times editorial writer provides some good detail, links and commentary. It looks like the state transportation budget won’t be further stressed. We can appreciate the relatively light impact of the I-5 bridge collapse while also asking pertinent […]

Inslee's three priorities for special session: budget, transportation, DUI

Gov. Inslee has pared his list of special session priorities to three. Gov. Jay Inslee has narrowed his list of top priorities for lawmakers to address in a special session, saying Monday that the Legislature must focus on the operating budget, a transportation-funding package and new legislation to crack down on drunken drivers. As the […]

Competitiveness key to landing Boeing 777X: Inslee announces aerospace strategy

Gov. Jay Inslee has joined the competitiveness battle, a high stakes bid to assure that the Boeing 777X is built here. The Seattle Times writes: Gov. Jay Inslee proposes funding a new cargo facility at the Port of Everett, extending Boeing’s tax breaks and streamlining the local permitting process in Everett as part of a […]

New study finds Seattle has nation's 8th worst traffic congestion

Emily wrote earlier today about the House Transportation Committee’s work on a new funding plan. Also today the Puget Sound Business Journal reported on a new study confirming commuter perceptions. Seattle’s traffic problems are the eighth-worst in the country, according to a new study by Kirkland-based traffic data company Inrix. According to the sixth Inrix […]

Revised Connecting Washington transportation package moves forward, including gas tax increase

Earlier this year, Rep. Clibborn introduced a 10-year, $10 billion transportation package called Connecting Washington. (I wrote about the details of that proposal here.) Since then, less expansive transportation budgets have been passed by the House and Senate. Last week, Clibborn introduced a revised version of her plan, which would spend $8.4 billion over 12 […]

Transportation regulatory reform: streamlining and expediting

In addition to the “bare-bones” transportation budget bills that were passed in the House and Senate last week, the House passed (by a vote of 93 to 1) a transportation regulatory reform bill (ESHB 1978) “that expedites the delivery of transportation projects through a streamlined approach to environmental decision making.” ESHB 1978 “recognizes the opportunity […]