🚄 Transportation means jobs 🚄

I have long said we will not have a "big league" economy with "little league infrastructure." That is especially true in Washington state — where transportation means jobs. Federal investment in our state's infrastructure is critical to building our economic growth and putting folks in the Pacific Northwest to work in good-paying jobs.

Earlier this month, Sound Transit broke ground on the Lynnwood Transit Center, a line that when completed will connect an additional 55,000 daily riders in Snohomish County. This major transit investment will help lessen congestion on our roads and ease the commute for students and workers.

When I talk with Washington voters, they understand the importance of partnerships between local and federal government for funding the most ambitious transportation projects. Unfortunately, while Washington residents have voted three times to fund Sound Transit expansion projects, the federal government had not previously upheld its end of the bargain. You can be sure I did everything I needed to to make sure the federal government is listening to Washington state voters.

Last year, I was able to secure $1.5 billion in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants in the federal spending package, triple the previous funding.

A promising start, but there's still so much more to do. According to the Association of Washington Businesses, our state needs over $190 billion in infrastructure investments. Highways and local roads alone in Washington state will require $134 billion in investment.

Investing in public transportation creates jobs, reduces congestion, cuts emissions, and can even reduce economic inequality. And as a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I will continue to work hard to ensure this and future administrations continue to make crucial investments in the roads, bridges, buses, and rail that will continue to spur growth in Snohomish County and across the 2nd District.

Rick