Lawmakers work to determine transportation priorities

OLYMPIA - Agriculture policy makers said transportation and other major issues before the legislature will impact farmers.

"You can truck something clear across from the Palouse to the top of I-5, North Bend, in less than the amount of time it takes you to get the rest of the way to the Port of Seattle. Obviously that's a problem," said Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond, who is chair of the agriculture, water and rural economic development committee.

The legislature is still trying to agree on a list of transportation projects and the revenue to fund them, including a proposed 11.5-cent gas tax increase. They also have been discussing changing sales tax on fuel so that it funds transportation, rather than the state's general fund.

"When it comes to transportation, particularly in agriculture, we have to be statewide leaders," said Rep. Kristine Lytton, D-Anacortes, vice chair of the agriculture and natural resources committee. "Both the infrastructure and transportation, and the agricultural component, it's a statewide issue and we need to come together on, not what's good for our individual districts, but on what's good for our state and how do we create a prosperous economy."

Some of the projects agriculture leaders would like to see included in the transportation plan include adding onto SR-167 by the Port of Tacoma, and improving the short-line rail system in Eastern Washington.

"They're a critical component to their ability to get their wheat to market," said Rep. Brian Blake (D-Aberdeen), chair of the house committee on agriculture. "I think it's important we have robust highways, short-line railroads and also are working to protect the barge transport system so there's as many options as possible to get grain to market."

Hatfield expressed doubt that the legislature will find agreement during the 60-day session and pass a transportation revenue package.

Senate minority leader Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, sits on the agriculture committee and said it was more important to "get it right" on transportation rather than passing a budget quickly.

"The most important thing is to get it right for all 39 counties. That's more important than doing it for the sake of doing it," Schoesler said. "The thing about the Majority Coalition Caucus is we have members in every corner of the state, and this needs to be something that's good for Whatcom County to Whitman County."

Schoesler also considers the governor's proposed minimum wage increase a concern for agriculture, because they couldn't offset the cost as easily as other businesses.

"Our state's farmers and ranchers cannot just raise their price. They get whatever the market is for milk, apples, potatoes and the like," he said.

Hatfield said getting people interested and educated in agriculture is one of their biggest challenges, but he feels that Gov. Inslee shows interest in listening to the concerns of farmers and ranchers.

"There's always going to be differences there, because he's the governor from 'the big city'," Hatfield said. "But I think he's at least aware on ag issues, everything's not just black and white, straight urban or environmental interpretations of the way we should do things."

"In a short session, we don't have big policy (changes). Most of the things we're doing are technical corrections," Lytton said. "Next session you'll see more agricultural issues."

Leilani Leach is an Olympia-based intern with Washington State University, providing articles on the Legislative session through the Murrow News Service.