Recent progress on preventing tolling on I-90 is very encouraging. Mayor Bruce Bassett, Deputy City Manager Noel Treat and Councilmember Mike Grady presented our case to the head of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the agency that must decide whether to waive the law against tolling. Our lawyers laid out a strong case against tolling. Our Congressional representatives including Adam Smith, Dave Reichert, Maria Cantwell and Rick Larson are working together to oppose tolling I-90. Finally, the lobbyists hired by the City have prepared all the stakeholders, including the EPA, with information as to why tolling is a bad policy.
In Washington State, our efforts have resulted in funding for a complete EIS with the requisite new scoping for the study.
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Just six months ago, if you remember, tolling was a “done deal” and there was nothing we could do about it. But then, Eva Zemplenyi and Lisa Belden resurrected their grassroots citizen’s committee against tolling that they had formed in 2008. This No Toll on I-90 committee informed people and gave them a way to organize and communicate their dissatisfaction. The 800 citizens who came to the community center in February to protest tolling along with the 80 people who spoke up at city council are next in line for a big THANK YOU. Mike Cero and Mike Grady also deserve our gratitude, as they have held steadfast against tolling throughout the ordeal and continue to remain opposed. Once the Council decided to oppose tolling, Mayor Bassett did a fine job of forming a coalition with other communities and Noel Treat, our Deputy City Manager, organized and led the overall effort that has been so effective. These people all deserve a thank you.
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In my experience, the Federal Government is unlikely to get involved in a dispute between a state and a community within that state unless the government has interests of national importance. Interfering in local skirmishes would be messy, unproductive, time consuming and likely undermine the authority of the State government. So, the Federal government, in my experience, would push the state to come to an agreement with the community before they would get involved. In other words, as long as we do not agree to a toll in ANY form (this especially includes a “fair toll”-- if there is such a thing), we have a strong case and have a good chance to remain toll-free.
Thanks!