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Rep. Jeff Morris, serving the 40th District Serving San Juan, eastern and northwestern Skagit and southwestern Whatcom counties. |
Morris raises questions over transportation funding priorities
Jan. 13, 2009OLYMPIA – During today’s House Transportation committee hearing, in which members of the committee scoured Governor Gregoire’s proposed budget for 2009-2011, State Representative Jeff Morris (D – Mount Vernon) questioned the consistency of a policy that includes $11.7 million for the Enhanced Driver License (EDL) program, while cancelling the primary maritime route between Washington and Canada.
While the merits of the Enhanced Drivers License program – allowing vetted American and Canadian more efficient border crossings – is not in question, Morris feels the added funding is inconsistent with a plan to cancel the Anacortes-to-Sidney ferry.
The governor’s policy staff’s response: That the decisions were made separate from each other.
“I am a bit dumbfounded how cutting the major marine tourism route to Canada helps get people into Canada more efficiently,” said Morris. “When we looked at this in 1997 we found the Sidney route critical to circle tours by tourists who went through Port Angeles or back over to Blaine via ferries.”
“This is a classic example of the left hand not knowing what the right is spending.”
The Governor proposes spending $11.7 million on the EDL next biennium, having issued 32,000 EDLs. British Columbia has issued 521 EDLs.
Savings by canceling the Anacortes-Sidney ferry run is estimated to be $9.4 million over a number of years.