Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Representative Drew Hansen is a regular ferry commuter, and he quickly distinguished himself as one of the leading voices in the House of Representatives for funding the ferries as marine highways, as the Washington State Constitution requires. Representative Hansen also supported investments to repair and upgrade our state's transportation infrastructure, a crucial priority for the many Washington businesses who depend on the transportation system to move goods to market. Representative Hansen's accomplishments on transportation include:

Supporting full ferry funding, including funding for the construction of a new 144-car ferry so routes don't have to be cancelled when boats go out of service. Hansen supported a bill that funded ferry operations through increased licensing and other transportation-related fees, and fought to make sure that the final distribution of the bill's proceeds included funds for construction of a new 144-car ferry.
Preserving the option for passenger-only ferry service at Seattle's Colman Dock by drafting an amendment to the transportation budget that required the state ferry system to permit passenger-only ferry services at Colman Dock.
Supporting legislation that helps Tacoma Narrows Bridge drivers by deferring state sales and use taxes on the bridge for six additional years.
Sponsoring legislation to update safety standards for commercial vehicles, a bill that passed with unanimous bipartisan support in the House but was not considered by the Senate.
Supporting funding to start planning for improvement of the Highway 305/Suquamish Way intersection, one of Kitsap County's well-known bottlenecks. Representative Hansen wrote the Chair of the House Transportation Committee to request that $750,000 be allocated for planning for improvement of this intersection; the final transportation budget included the funding.
Supporting the 2011-2013 supplemental transportation budget, which funds ferries as well as repairs and improvements in highways, waterways, and rail so Washington's businesses have the transportation infrastructure they need to keep creating jobs.

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