DOT secretary’s questionable choice for review leader
Newly-appointed Washington State Department of Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson announced last week that Ron Paananen – now a private consultant – will lead a comprehensive assessment of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, the State Route 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Program, and the Interstate 5 Columbia River Crossing projects. I...
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Two of my bills make their way through the House
Since the Majority Coalition Caucus took control of the Senate in December, I’ve been able to get several of my bills passed by the Senate and sent to the House of Representatives for consideration. Two of those bills are of particular interest to me and I wanted to share their...
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IN THE NEWS: State Senate Transportation co-chairs break new ground as political foes — and allies
This year’s Senate Transportation Committee co-chairs, chosen to lead after a power shake-up in the chamber, are a fascinating study in contrasts. Sen. Tracey Eide is the feisty veteran Democratic legislator from Federal Way who rides and promotes public transit. Sen. Curtis King is an affable Republican with a woodworking...
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Senate transportation co-chair raises questions about WSDOT pick for mega-project review leader
Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, and co-chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, today expressed his concern about the state Department of Transportation’s choice of a former WSDOT administrator and project director to review three of the state’s transportation mega-projects. Newly-appointed Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson announced Thursday that Ron Paananen, now a...
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IN THE NEWS: $9.8 billion transportation plan adds taxes, fees
House Democrats on Wednesday unveiled their $9.8 billion transportation revenue proposal, but it won’t go very far unless they at least agree to put its biggest element to a popular vote, the Senate Transportation Committee co-chairman said. Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, said a proposed 10-cent gas tax increase doesn’t have...
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King says public must be consulted before new taxes are proposed
Members of the House of Representatives Transportation Committee unveiled their 2013-15 transportation revenue package Wednesday. It calls for raising the gasoline tax by 2 cents each year for five years, increasing the commercial gross weight fee by 15 percent, raising the motor vehicle excise tax by 0.7 percent, raising the...
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IN THE NEWS: Why tanning is being compared to smoking in Olympia
Teenagers hoping to get bronzed before the big dance or upcoming swim party will have to do it the old-fashioned way under a bill being heard Monday in Olympia. If passed, tanning would be illegal for those under 18. After hearing from parents who lost children to skin cancer years...
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King sworn into office, named co-chair of Transportation Committee
On the first day of the 2013 legislative session, Washington State Supreme Court Justice Charles Johnson administered the oath of office to Republican Senator Curtis King, who represents the 14th District, to begin King’s second four-year term. Shortly thereafter, the Senate adopted a committee structure that installed King as the...
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King to co-chair Senate Transportation Committee under new plan
Under a new bipartisan banner, Democrat and Republican senators in the Washington State Senate today announced the formation of a Majority Coalition Caucus to lead the Senate during the 2013 legislative session. Twenty-five state senators have committed themselves to the new majority group, including Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima, who will...
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