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The Governor of Washington Takes Your Questions

AIR DATE: Wednesday, March 26th 2008

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What would you like to ask Governor Gregoire?

Governor Chris Gregoire of Washington is having a busy week. The 60 day legislative session for 2008 just ended so, according to her aides, she has about 150 bills to sign. When she came into office (amidst great contention in a one of the tightest races in history) she posed the following questions in her inaugural address:

?What will our legacy be? Will we leave a legacy of holding government accountable, cutting through the red tape and breaking down the barriers that hinder business development? Will we leave a legacy of strong democratic institutions and faith in government? Will we work to provide health care for every child in this state? Will we dramatically lower our high school dropout rate, and help every young person fulfill his or her full potential? That?s exactly what I?m here to do -- not alone, but together with all of you, Republican and Democrat alike.?

Governor Gregoire is up for re-election this year. It is a good time to check in. Did she do the things she set out to do? Did she work together with Democrats and Republicans to bring change to the state? How well has she worked with Oregon? And what?s next on her agenda?

This is your opportunity get answers directly from the Governor of Washington. What would you like to ask her?

Tagged as: 2008 election · washington

It's clear we need to significantly increase capacity across the Columbia River along the crucial I-5 corridor. Portland indicates they won't support the project unless light rail is part of the project but Clark County folks have an allergy to light rail and a vocal anti-light rail group is gathering steam. Is there anything WA state can do to make this option more palatable to our nay-sayers?

Some of the most vocal light rail opponents are owners of small businesses in the Main Street area who fear the long construction period will ruin them. Are there ways to sweeten the pot for them?

Joy in Vancouver

Joiede — Tue March 25th 10:36p.m.

Governor Gregoire, since you are leading the national summit on renewable energy and energy security and since you just signed House Bill 2815, don't you think it's time you took a public stance on LNG facility siting in the lower Columbia River area? Cowlitz County residents are facing Eminent Domain due to the proposed high-pressure gas pipeline from Bradwood Landing. We need to know that our Governor is acting to protect her constituents. Will you join us in opposing this step backward to foreign fossil fuel dependency?

gaylek — Wed March 26th 12:15a.m.

Gov. Gregoire just told us that she's not sure what the connection is between LNG and global warming. Wow, she really does need to start studying this issue. A good place to start would be a very detailed report called Collision Course that documents the many ways that LNG will compete with and undermine renewable energy initiatives: http://www.pacificenvironment.org/article.php?id=2710. Washington as well as Oregon have committed to the goal of getting 25% of utilities' energy from renewables by 2025. This can happen only if most new sources are renewables, and will not happen if we instead commit to a multi-billion dollar infrastructure to import huge amounts of fossil fuel. Our Sec. of State, Bill Bradbury, and many others strongly oppose LNG based on their very negative effect on global warming.

neuringe — Wed March 26th 12:58p.m.

Govenor,
With the price of gas, we simply cannot afford a toll on the new I-5 bridge that anywhere approaches the toll on the new Narrows Bridge in Tacoma (based on the recent proposal to raise it to $2.75 & $3.75 standard and Good to Go).
The I-5 is used much more extensively and not just for commuting but for commerce, recreation, entertainment and vacation. Even an inexpensive toll will add at least $1,000.oo to $1,500.oo to a household budget.
If tolls become the answer to our transportation needs, we will become a static and insular people, as mobility will become the domain of the wealthy.
That , Govenor , would not be American and would not be the Washington in which I was raised.

tycobb — Wed March 26th 12:55a.m.

Governor, I wonder what you think about the possibility of having different tolls based on how you travelled over the bridge. I think it would be interesting to set tolls that are: free on commuter bus or light rail, cheap by HOV lane, and whatever for the rest. Especially interesting since our county commissioners have come out against HOV lanes on both WA and OR side, so much so that Steve Stuart said he couldn't agree to any proposal for the new bridge that didn't get rid of the OREGON carpool lane. What is the state's take on HOV lanes in populated/congested areas?

By demanding that Oregon remove their HOV lane, I'm sure the commissioners are trying to appease folks who have been whining to them about sitting in traffic while the carpoolers are whizzing by. But I believe they have created much of the problem by allowing so many houses to be built while not bringing in enough businesses to keep people working in Vancouver, rather than paying their Oregon State income taxes. I know we are facing a sluggish economy which might reduce the rate of growth in housing, but do you think there is anything the State can do to help Clark County focus their growth in a more healthy direction with a better job to housing mix in the future?

PS - I find the not-American statement funny considering may extremely American cities have long had toll roads, this is nothing new to people who have lived outside the Pacific Northwest. In fact, many of our bridges were originally tolled. Seems like a really good way to finance a bridge so users pay rather than everyone in the tax base area.

SL Carter — Wed March 26th 1:39a.m.

I ALREADY pay a toll every year to use the existing bridge, in the form of Oregon State income taxes. Until I am exempt from Oregon state income tax, for which I get NO right to vote and no representation for my taxation, I ABHOR the idea of a toll bridge from Vancouver to Portland.

KristenW — Wed March 26th 12:19p.m.

If you could shave an hour off your daily commute time because you zoomed thru a toll plaza - what would that be worth to you? Even if you value your time at minimum wage rates, you save... plus you save the cost of gas that burns as you sit bumper to bumper (not to mention air quality). Has anyone done a cost/time analysis for the average commuter?

Joiede — Wed March 26th 11:52a.m.

Governor Gregoire,
Independent experts like Seattle's Sightline Institute have shown that adding new highways lanes for cars increases driving and global warming pollution without reducing congestion (http://www.sightline.org/research/energy/res_pubs/climate-analysis-gge-new-lanes-10-07).

Adding six new lanes to a Columbia River Crossing bridge could significantly undermine your and Governor Kulongoski's goals of cutting global warming pollution by encouraging more and longer commutes.

Would you consider asking WSDOT to evaluate a replacement bridge with new travel capacity for freight, light rail and buses (rather than single occupant vehicles) in order to provide a more sustainable solution?

Thank you for the consideration.

Live Well — Wed March 26th 10:49a.m.

Dear Governor,

A large source of the congestion on the current I-5 bridge is due to freight shipped in trucks. A MUCH larger percentage of the total wear and tear on any bridge is this same usage. I'm wondering if, included with your talks with Oregon regarding plans for the bridge, expanding the use of rail for freight shipment across the river has been addressed. Moving more freight by rail (and less by road) is considered vastly superior in overall cost and energy efficiency by experts in transportation. It's also in line with the Northwest's goals of achieving regional goals of reducing our carbon and energy footprints per capita.

PDXOutdoors — Wed March 26th 11:39a.m.

Governor,

Seeing how the COUVERS are the biggest cause of traffic and congestion in the metro area, should we (people who live in PDX) not charge a toll to keep them out and stop congestion? I live in NOPO and its ridicules that it takes 40 + minuets to drive 5 miles.

Luponsensay — Wed March 26th 12:14p.m.

Normally I ignore spelling but what a delightful image this brings to my imagination:

From

http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minuet

"A minuet is a dance which was popular in the 18th and 19th centuries in France. It was danced by the aristocracy, especially at the court of King Louis XIV."

Tom D Ford — Wed March 26th 12:28p.m.

Hi Governor
You may remember me. I am the retired director of SHIBA in WA. I retired to Portland and am on the board of directors of 211 INFO, which as you probably know, 211 is the "911" for health and human service information and referrals. Included in our mission are Clark and several other southwestern counties in WA. However, Washington's legislature chose not to include 211 INFO in its current budget. A fair percentage of our calls are from WA yet are not being paid for by the state receiving the service. Would you please check this out and correct the problem? Thanks and good luck in the fall. If I could, I'd vote for you again in a heartbeat. joan

joanrlewis — Wed March 26th 12:25p.m.

A toll is certainly the way to go, people who use the bridge should pay the price for living in the suburbs if they want a faster commute. If they don't want to pay for it then don't build the bridge and let them suffer.

scottmil — Wed March 26th 12:26p.m.

For the Governor Gregoire,

Concerning Washington residence's paying Oregon State income tax, what are the Governors thoughts on this? Several years ago Senator Cantwell via her newslestter was going to investigate stopping this, but she never pursued or followed up. If this can be pursued, what are the Governors thoughts about getting Oregon to use these dollars to help pay for the new bridge?

Thank you,
Jim Lovell - Vancouver Washington

mtlmsm — Wed March 26th 12:31p.m.

I live in Oregon and work in Washington. I know that people who live in Washington and work in Oregon have to pay Oregon income tax. I think that should more than compensate Oregon for their road use. I also know that a lot of people who live in Southwest Washington do a lot of shopping in Oregon avoiding Washington's sales tax. Most of my friends who live in Washington aren't even aware that they are required to pay sales tax when they bring their purchases into Washington. Filling this loophole should bring Washington a good bit of tax revenue.

TomKuffner — Wed March 26th 12:35p.m.

Governor Gregoire. I live in Oregon and work in WA. I travel over the 205 Bridge 5 days a week. Coming over the bridge there are so many drivers who are speeding. When you arrive into WA the welcome sign is more than an eyesore than a welcome. Yesterday a man was parked along the side of the freeway taking a picture of the sign. All I could think is what a terrible picture this would be not only because of the sign but this state is probably the worst for litter I have ever seen. Off ramps are filled with weeds and litter. I work in Clark County. The road I work on is one of the most unsafe roads because of cars speeding, going faster than driving on the freeway. We had a police officer stay in our RV Park and I told him WA would make a fortune on speeders in this state All he said is that there isn't enough of a police force to take care of the problem. WA is a beautiful pictureque State, if it is at all interested in being a clean-green state well lets clean it up along the highways and make it safer for drivers who use the highways. Thank you.

CarolA — Wed March 26th 12:45p.m.

I agree with President Dwight Eisenhowers idea of building the interstates like I-5 as being in the national interest for many reasons including commerce and moving the military around and so I wonder what has happened to Federal funding?

Isn't it still in our national interest?

Tom D Ford — Wed March 26th 12:48p.m.

Its rather ironic we rebuild infrastructures, albeit poorly, in other countries we destroy with war, but can't even find funding to improve our own interstates.

But does increased capacity encourage sprawl? Or is it just punishment?

scottmil — Wed March 26th 12:58p.m.

Your discussion with the Governor showed exactly how out of touch she is with SW Washington especially about LNG. The nearest residences to the proposed Bradwood terminal reside in the state of Washington. The River is a bi-state resource. Governor Kulongowski has saids to FERC, justify the need. Why didn't she join her voice to his. Maybe because some of her past staff members now work fopr Northern Star or maybe because it doesn't affect the Seattle area where she expects to get support for re-election. She was just barely elected last time, maybe she can afford to ignore this issue but until she acknowledges it, support for her in SW Washington will be minimal.

GeorgeE — Wed March 26th 5:05p.m.

Hello, Would like to know if more state incentives for solar and energy savings put in place by residents are in the works, like the various sources in Oregon?

jsingmaster — Thu March 27th 12:34a.m.

Comments are now closed.