Connecting Washington Task Force

The final meeting of the Connecting Washington Task Force was December 12, 2011. Their work concluded by finalizing a set of investment principles and priorities that will be recommended to the Governor and 2012 Legislature.

The Task Force discussed three potential spending scenarios in increments of $10 billion dollars. They eventually proposed a recommendation of investment of about $20 billion. The package would focus on preserving and maintaining the existing transportation system, ferry vessel replacement and terminal work, and transit funding.

Funding options were also discussed, including how much the State legislature could raise and how much should be approved by voters, as well as what options should be available to local governments.

A final report is currently being prepared and will be available at the end of January.

The Connecting Washington Task Force met five times since it was created by Governor Chris Gregoire last spring. The Task Force heard presentations from cities, counties, transit, ports, and WSDOT – including ferries -- about current conditions and future needs. The group also discussed investment strategies and categories of investments.

The recommendations forwarded to the Governor and Legislature will likely generate timely conversations that Kitsap County residents will watch closely.

For all of the Task Force materials:  Click Here