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  • Writer's pictureGreater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce

Sound Transit Proposition 1


Vote YES for Prop 1 by November 8th

- The Puget Sound region is expected to grow by nearly a million people in the next several decades. We must invest and plan NOW for safe, fast and reliable transit! - Sound Transit Proposition 1 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a regional transit system that can move 1 million people every day. - Completing 116 miles of light rail - Bus Rapid Transit along I-405 and SR522 - Additional Sounder commuter rail service and capacity

This measure is supported by the Washington Environmental Council, Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Democratic Party organizations, the Washington State Labor Council, Sierra Club, Governor Inslee, and more than a dozen Puget Sound mayors. For more endorsements visit: www.masstransitnow.com/endorsements

The measure hits on three levels, Labor, Environment, Social Justice, and Economic Vitality

Labor ● Sound Transit Proposition 1 will support the creation of more than 220,000 good paying jobs over the 25-year period of construction1. (78,000 direct and 144,000 indirect jobs) ● Sound Transit’s Project Labor Agreement has been an important tool to ensure that Sound Transit is providing quality, family-sustaining jobs. By 2029, Mass Transit Now will provide an estimated 9% of the regional construction jobs.

○ Proposition 1 is expected to add an additional 44 million labor hours by 2041.  ○ 17 million labor hours are funded to build out the East Link, North Gate Link, and Lynnwood light rail extensions. ○ Nearly 13-million construction labor hours have been completed since Sound Transit’s founding under the Project Labor Agreement that was signed in 1999.

● The members of ATU Local 587, 1576, and 758 will keep our buses and trains running and on schedule – ST3 will grow the operator workforce by 34% by 2029.

Environment ● Sound Transit Proposition 1 is the single most important investment to fight climate change on the ballot this year. By voting Yes on Sound Transit Prop 1, we can protect our air and water quality and fight climate change.

● Local environmental leaders such as the Sierra Club and Washington Environmental Council support this measure because it will reduce air pollution from car emissions and reduce the amount of toxic runoff flowing into the Sound. ● As our region grows, the people choosing transit instead of their cars are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The number of passengers taking Sound Transit last year put us on pace to save nearly 139,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. This is equal to saving 15.6 million gallons of gas or 113,614 acres of forest.”2

● With the latest news that Sound Transit light rail ridership spiked 83% between March and May – and nearly 51% year-to-date3 – the level of greenhouse gases being emitted will likely continue to decline with numbers like those.

● With the completion of Prop 1, by 2040 the entire Sound Transit system will save an estimated 793,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually. 4 These savings are equal to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from: ○ Driving more than 1.9 billion miles in an average passenger vehicle ○ Burning more than 89 million gallons of gasoline ○ Powering the electricity for more than 117,000 homes for a year ○ Burning more than 4224 railcars of coal ○ Sequestering the carbon equal to growing 22.5 million tree seedlings for a year

Social Justice/Equity ● Sound Transit Prop 1 will help working and middle class families and those without cars have a way to get to their jobs, training programs, or schools. Providing reliable public transportation for seniors and people with disabilities, it helps them live independent, dignified lives where they are able to stay in their own homes. ● Second only to housing, having a vehicle can be a family’s second largest expense. Voting YES on Sound Transit Prop 1 is the most cost effective way to expand transit, and helps vulnerable people get where they need to go. ● Once complete, the new mass transit built as part of the Sound Transit 3 plan will serve more than 36,000 current units of subsidized housing. As more affordable housing is built along the line, more people will be served by transit. ● Prop 1 understands the importance of creating socially equitable environments along its transit lines. Prop 1 establishes several programs that to support equitable Transit Oriented Development, including: ● Contribute $20 million to a regional revolving loan fund to support affordable housing. ● Offer suitable surplus properties for transfer at no cost, sale or long-term lease first to local governments, housing authorities and non-profit developers to build affordable housing and mixed-income communities

Economic Development (Business & Education) ● Voting Yes on Sound Transit Prop 1 will help drive more development. Transit helps to bring new housing, retail, restaurants, and jobs. Studies show that every dollar of investment in transit brings $5 in new economic development. ● Expanded transit options help to attract and retain a talented workforce because they want to live, work and play in vibrant, high quality of life communities with a strong mass transit system. ● Businesses and educational institutions are making investments because of the promise of safe, fast, reliable transit system that connects our region. For example: ● Weyerhaeuser is moving is headquarters and 800 employees to Seattle’s historic pioneer square. The company’s leadership cited the southeast corner of Seattle being “a great transit hub” as one of the reasons for the relocation. ● REI announced they’re locating to Bellevue, crediting the new plans for transit as one of the top reasons for their decision. In a few years, light rail from East Link to Bellevue and Redmond will open, giving commuters and residents access to shopping, school and work.

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