Get Public Support for Transportation Projects By Giving Them Jobs

"Legislative leaders may have a way to build support for replacing the deteriorating Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 520 bridge: Call it a jobs package."

"'There's no question it's a jobs bill,' said Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee. 'If you want to create jobs, you build something. It's a no-brainer.'

"There will be a lot more talk like that in the coming weeks and months as the Legislature grapples with two essential transportation projects that cost billions of dollars — at a time when a recession appears unavoidable and the state operating budget has a $5 billion hole."

"That's the shortfall lawmakers will have to close when they start crafting a new two-year budget in January. It will mean deep and likely agonizing cuts in state spending — but not when it comes to transportation projects."