In Brief:
- Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson has proposed doubling a sales tax to support expanded bus service and more free passes for low-income riders.
- The measure, which is estimated to raise $138 million a year, was approved by the city council in July.
- Other west coast cities are considering similar measures this year.
This fall, Seattle voters will be asked whether they want to double the city’s current sales tax in exchange for more bus service. Given their past proclivities, they’re likely to say yes.
The proposal from Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson would renew the Seattle Transit Measure, raising the transit-dedicated sales tax from 0.15 percent to 0.3 percent and putting it in place for ten years. The measure would allow the city to purchase more bus service from King County Metro, the regional public transit authority, and offer more free transit passes to low-income residents. According to the city, the measure would add 100,000 bus trips and 12,000 free passes per year. That’s on top of the 180,000 bus trips and 10,000 passes provided by the existing measure, which voters approved in 2020. If the sales tax were to remain at the current rate, the city would actually end up having to cut service because of rising costs.
The proposal to enact a 0.3 percent tax for ten years is the maximum amount allowed under Washington state law…