The campaign for the Sound Transit 3 ballot initiative is underway in Seattle, after local officials released a draft plan that charts a $50 billion build out of light rail in the region.
Mike Lindblom reports: "This fall’s Sound Transit 3 ballot measure would deliver light rail to Ballard as late as 22 years from now, while Everett would wait 25 years, under a draft the agency’s governing board issued Thursday."
"The plan, released at an agency board meeting Thursday, calls for $50 billion in new projects and services, funded by $27 billion in new tax collections through 2041, along with existing taxes, long-term debt and federal grants," adds Lindblom.
Lindblom provides more details about the draft proposal, and notes that the draft was released at an auspicious moment—likely to ride the coattails of the Sound Transit light rail line that opened the week prior, connecting Downtown to the University of Washington and the Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Additional coverage of the draft is available from Josh Feit, who also offers some early criticism of the draft plan. Another article by Doug Trumm focuses on the suburban orientation of the draft plan.
FULL STORY: $50B Sound Transit proposal: big taxes, big spending, big plan
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