Legislature moves to cut red tape on transportation projects

Olympia, WA - May 26, 2001 - In the waning hours of the 30-day special session Thursday, the House completed work on a bill that will streamline the environmental permitting process for major highway construction work a change that lawmakers believe could cut the cost of long-term transportation projects by up to 20 percent. Rep. Jim Buck supported the bill (Senate Bill 6188), which he said will help ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and produce real results.

"The people of Washington have sent a clear message that they will not support further investment in transportation until we can prove there are processes in place to spend their tax dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible," said Buck, R-Joyce. "While permit streamlining is a critical step toward building the public's trust, it s only one element of the package of legislation our caucus has proposed that could potentially save $4 billion or more over 10 years, and would help build roads faster, smarter and better." 

The bill allows local governments to defer all or part of their permitting approval requirements to the state, although the Department of Transportation would still pay counties and cities for the necessary permits. Buck noted that the measure will cut the length of time now required for the permitting process by up to half, without undermining environmental standards.

"While this common-sense change will move projects along more quickly, it does not weaken environmental protections," Buck said. "This will cut time, but does not compromise our commitment to protecting the environment."

In addition to permit streamlining, House Republicans are pressing for approval of legislation to privatize some highway jobs, reform prevailing-wage laws, and assign priority status to the most critical congestion relief projects.

The measure passed the House unanimously and will be signed by the governor on May 29.