Eastsiders need fair share of Sound Transit tax

Published 9:28 pm Thursday, November 27, 2008

On Jan. 1 Eastside residents will begin paying an additional .5 percent tax for a total of .9 percent sales tax to fund Sound Transit. Their contribution provides 40 percent of all of Sound Transit funding.

What exactly are they getting in return? The vast majority of past transit funds have been spent funding light rail from Seattle to Sea-Tac. Sound Transit then will begin construction on the University extension with a 2016 target for completion.

Sound Transit has spent some money on relatively minor Eastside projects, however, even this “fig leaf” attempt at fairness disappears at the end of this year as no projects are even scheduled for 2009 and beyond.

Eastsiders should demand that, until needed for Eastside light rail, their 40 percent of transit funds be spent on two items: increased bus service and rebuilding the 520 bridge.

Bill Hirt

Bellevue