Washington 90% of Transportation Funds Spent on Roads Act, Initiative 745 (2000)
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Washington Initiative Measure 745, also known as the Transportation Funding Act, was on the November 7, 2000 election ballot in Washington as an Initiative to the People, where it was defeated.
The ballot title question asked of voters was, "Shall 90% of transportation funds, including transit taxes, be spent for roads; transportation agency performance audits required; and road construction and maintenance be sales tax-exempt?"
- Yes: 955,329 (40.66%)
- No: 1,394,387 (59.34%)
Text of the proposal
The language that appeared on the ballot:
Initiative Statute
Explanatory Statement by Attorney General: This measure would declare that new road and lane construction and road maintenance would be the state’s top priority for transportation system improvements. The measure would direct the legislature, in consultation with local governments, to adopt implementing legislation which would require a minimum of 90% of transportation funds to be spent on construction of new roads, new lanes on existing roads, improvements to the traffic carrying capacity of roads, or maintenance of roads. The term "transportation funds" would include state and local government funds spent for transportation purposes, including the transportation fund, the highway fund, public transit and ferry operating accounts and reserves, public transit and ferry capital accounts and reserves, local government transportation accounts, public transportation authorities, transportation benefit districts, and the amounts placed in the high occupancy vehicle account (RCW 81.100.070). It does not include federal funds specifically provided for non-roadway purposes, transportation vehicle funds used by school districts, funds used by airports or port districts, or the fares paid by customers of transit and ferry systems. The term "roads" would include all publicly owned roads, streets, and highways.
The measure would also require a performance audit on each transportation agency, account, and program, including the state department of transportation, the state ferry system, and all public transit agencies. The first audit report for each agency would be submitted by December 31, 2001, and subsequent performance audits would be conducted as determined necessary by the state auditor. Transportation funds would be used to pay for the performance audits.
The measure would exempt, from sales and use taxes, materials and labor used in the construction or maintenance of publicly owned roads, streets, and highways.
The measure would also require the updating of comprehensive plans developed under Chapter 36.70A RCW (the growth management act) and the six-year transportation plans required by RCW 44.40.070, to reflect the provisions and priorities of this measure.
