Despite being Washington’s fifth-largest county and one of its fastest growing, Clark County often has a difficult time grabbing the attention of lawmakers in Olympia.
That was evident in several items during the 2018 Legislative session that wrapped up last week. From consideration of a replacement for the Interstate 5 Bridge to the supplemental capital and transportation budgets that were passed, Clark County lawmakers often found themselves metaphorically spitting in the wind.
The most notable of the disappointments involved bills that would help designate the I-5 Bridge a project of “statewide significance.” The Senate bill was sponsored by local legislators Annette Cleveland, Ann Rivers and Lynda Wilson, while sponsors in the House included Sharon Wylie, Monica Stonier and Paul Harris; neither bill made it out of committee.
The designation would facilitate the use of work done previously on the failed Columbia River Crossing proposal, which would expedite any rekindled effort for replacing the bridge. As members of The Bridge Group, a local organization promoting a new bridge, wrote to The Columbian: “We are fast approaching a place in time where our I-5 Replacement Bridge Project will either come together, allowing us to capitalize on the millions of working hours and dollars already expended, or will end with a whimper, sending everything back to start over again.”
With no formal efforts underway to replace the bridge — and with a lack of attention from Oregon thus far — there still is time for Washington legislators to demonstrate interest. We encourage them to make the bridge a priority next year.
Meanwhile, an examination of the supplemental budgets also demonstrates Clark County’s role as a bit of an afterthought in Olympia. The supplemental transportation budget earmarked $9.3 million for projects here, while the additional capital budget provided $5.6 million.
Not that we are ones to look a gift horse in the mouth; any spending on projects that can improve transportation and quality of life while boosting the local economy is appreciated. But the thing about state budgets is that they are not gifts; they are the result of taxpayers and businesses that generate revenue for state coffers.
Clark County has about 6.4 percent of Washington’s residents; in addition, it is the portal through which many visitors pass to enjoy the wonders of our state — and spend money. The statewide supplemental transportation budget of $825 million for two years obfuscates any attempts at county-by-county comparisons; much of that money is for state employee compensation that was moved from the operating budget. The local highlight of that funding might prove to be improvements to the I-5 interchange at 179th Street, an area that is ripe for growth and economic development. As Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, said, “That is going to be a key change for the Discovery Corridor.”
Meanwhile, only 1.3 percent of the supplemental capital budget of $414 million is targeted for Clark County. Some of that will go to the Port of Vancouver for work on the Terminal 1 development, which is an essential part of multiple projects along the Columbia River that will prove transformative for the city.
Budgets can be complex, and with a booming economy ballooning the coffers, there are numerous projects throughout the state worthy of funding. But even in boom times, as we often are reminded, it can be difficult for Clark County legislators to make their voices heard.
