Eyman Initiative For 2008
January 3rd, 2008 by Republican By DefaultYou have to give him props for being consistent. Tim Eyman (and friends) are sponsoring a new initiative in 2008.
From Tim Eyman’s Web site (Voters Want More Choices):
“Not surprisingly, the focus of ReduceCongestion.org is reducing traffic congestion. The measure:
* Opens carpool lanes to everyone during non-peak hours (midday and evenings on weekdays and all day and all night on weekends — peak hours defined as Mon-Fri 6-9 am, 3-6 pm) — which reduces traffic congestion and increases traffic flow;
* Requires cities and counties to synchronize traffic lights on heavily-traveled arterials — which reduces traffic congestion and increases traffic flow; and
* Increases funding for emergency roadside assistance (to clear out accidents faster) — which reduces traffic congestion and increases traffic flow.”
This one is based on the results of a previous initiative (I-900, “the 900 lb. gorilla”) which gave the authority to the state auditor’s office to initiate performance and other audits on state agencies, rather than waiting to be directed to do so by the governor or the legislature.
That initiative allowed State Auditor Brian Sonntag to audit conduct a performance the Department Of Transportation (Washington Department of Transportation - Managing and Reducing Congestion in Puget Sound). I think it should be noted that in the audit report Sonntag credits the legislature for “directing the State Auditor’s Office to conduct independent, comprehensive performance audits of transportation related agencies.” The report later explains I-900’s effect on the audit.
Here is the section from the audit report that Eyman is apparently partially basing his new initiative on:
Overall conclusion
The report states that over the next five years, taking the following actions could reduce hours of traffic delay by 15 percent to 20 percent — 12 million to 16 million hours — saving the average commuter some 10 hours of delay each year and the region some $300 million to $400 million in travel time and vehicle operating costs per year. In addition, the environmental and economic impacts of reduced vehicle emissions and improved access between employees and employers could potentially reach $300 million to $400 million, for a total economic impact to the Puget Sound region of $600 million to $800 million per year.Those actions are:
- Investments to improve vehicle flow using existing infrastructure and resources.
- Increasing efforts to have people use carpools, transit and telecommuting.
- Coordinating traffic lights on major arterials.
- Continuing to improve operational efficiency.
The audit found that in the long term:
- The ability to manage congestion will require adding new lanes of highway.
- A commitment to reducing congestion is needed from the Department and the Legislature, with goals and milestones that can be tracked. This is similar to what other states have done.
- Transportation investments — highways and transit alike — should be measured, in part, based on how many hours of delay can be reduced for each million dollars of investment.
- The Department should make reducing congestion a primary goal. While the Department has been a national leader in many aspects of congestion management, it has not identified reducing congestion as a priority. Reducing congestion would complement the Department’s current primary priorities, which are:
- Safety
- Maintenance
- Preservation
- Environment
- Economic vitality
A clear commitment to reducing congestion — after meeting safety requirements — would likely shift investment decisions.
Also in the report is a list of 20 recommendations to the Dept. of Transportation (page 4). That’s an interesting read. More details of those recommendations are given later in the report. If you care about the transportation issue it’s worth at least a good once-over.
It’s going to be an interesting year in politics.
Update (pigs have flown): Tim Eyman’s great year - Knute Berger gives Eyman his props.
“You might love to hate him, but the populist initiative king is having a banner year — and even liberals are finding some areas where Eyman’s laws are helping. Maybe you should send him a thank-you card.”
