Voters in King County have until tomorrow to have their say in the future of Metro Transit in our city.
Proposition 1 asks voters for their decision regarding an increase in sales tax and car tabs to fund Metro and fix local roads.
In tomorrow’s Special Election, voters are being asked to consider the following:
If approved, Proposition 1 would fund, among other things, bus service, road safety and maintenance and other transportation improvements in King County cities and the unincorporated area. It would authorize the district to impose, for a period of ten years, a sales and use tax of 0.1% under RCW 82.14.0455 and an annual vehicle fee of sixty dollars ($60) per registered vehicle under RCW 82.80.140 with a twenty dollar ($20) rebate for low-income individuals.
Here in Ballard, if the measure fails, Metro will be reportedly cutting and reducing many routes that service our neighborhood (click on image above).
According to Metro’s website, local routes 61, 62 and 28 would be cut entirely and routes 17x, 18x, 28x, 29, 40, 44 and the D Line service would be reduced or revised.
Many locals have expressed their opinions both for and against Proposition 1 throughout the campiagn. Our news partners at The Seattle Times explored some of the issues in depth in recent reports.
The Seattle Times also published an editorial with pros and cons of Proposition 1 as discussed in detail by Larry Phillips, Chair of the Metropolitan King County Council, and Bill Eager, Chairman of the Eastside Transportation Association.
Whichever opinion you hold about the issue, remember that ballots need to be postmarked by Tuesday, April 22 or dropped off at the Ballard Library ballot drop box (5614 22nd Ave NW) before 8 p.m. tomorrow night.