Representative Jacobsen is Right

 

 

A Google search of YouTube Sound Transit videos resulted in a video of the following presentation regarding their activities in Olympia.

 

Rep. Jacobsen: ‘Colossal failure’ Sound Transit’s $35 billion hole | 'No one is above the law'

 

Her 2 minute video included examples of Sound Transit incompetence was described as follows:

 

Rep. Cyndy Jacobsen, R-Walla Walla, spoke on the House floor against Senate Bill 6309, questioning why the Legislature would give Sound Transit greater power. “They are $35 billion in the hole, and we’re going to let them write their own rules?” said Jacobsen. The bill would let Sound Transit deviate from existing local zoning regulations, including height limits and setback requirements. Local governments would be required to accept the agency’s permit applications, even if Sound Transit doesn't own the property. 

 

The entire Sound Transit service area should hope Rep Jacobsen succeeds. Senate Bill 6309 typifies Sound Transit’s legal machinations. Its an 11 page document filled with “mind numbing” legalese detailing changes to existing laws:  Sound Transits response to  “No one is above the law” is to use its 30-person legal staff, part of its more than 1500 positions and billion dollar budget, to convince legislators to “change the law”.

 

They’ve apparently already persuaded legislators to “change the law” by allowing Sound Transit to issue 75 year maturity bonds to fund the ST3 extensions.  Typical of Sound Transit they’ll probably pay interest-only on the bonds for the first 25 years and leave it to our grandchildren’s grandchildren to pay off the principal.  

 

The bottom line is Representative Jacobson is right. Passing Senate Bill 6309 just adds to the problem facing the area’s commuters and their descendants.