HomeMy WebLinkAbout050225 FAC's _not_ eliminatedALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Fellow FAC members,
FYI
The Senate's Transportation Budget for 2025-2027 (SB 5161 <https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5161-S.E.pdf?q=20250501071044> ) included a proviso
that would have "suspended" the Ferry Advisory Committees until mid-2027; the end result would been, effectively, the elimination of the FACs.
That proviso was not included -- in its original form -- in the final budget which was agreed to by the House/Senate conference committee thanks to a concerted lobbying effort and numerous
editorials.
The proviso was, however, retained in part in the bill that was sent to Governor Ferguson. There is still a possibility that he could veto this section of the bill, which I (in my personal
capacity, not as FAC) have recommended that he do for a number of reasons.
For reference:
5161-S.E AMC CONF H2388.3.pdf <https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Amendments/Senate/5161-S.E%20AMC%20CONF%20H2388.3.pdf>
Sec. 222
(12) $75,000 of the Puget Sound ferry operations account—state appropriation is provided solely for the department to contract with the Evans School of Public Policy at the University
of Washington to conduct a study and develop recommendations to design a modernized and more inclusive Washington state ferries' customer advisory process.
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We can discuss this at our next regular FAC meeting, which will be on May 14.
Tom Thiersch
Chair, Jefferson County Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), Port Townsend terminal
TomThiersch.FAC@gmail.com <mailto:TomThiersch.FAC@gmail.com>
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