L-R Governor Gary Locke, an unidentified man, Julie Tappero owner of West Sound Workforce and Rep. Pat Lantz

   For the second time in a month Gov. Gary Locke came across the Tacoma Narrows Bridge to talk about transportation.
   The latest occasion was Oct. 22 when he spent almost an hour campaigning for Referendum 51 at the Inn at Gig Harbor hotel in a forum sponsored by the Gig Harbor Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. Earlier in the day, he toured the Bremerton Transportation Center and the planned Bremerton Conference Center with Democrat legislators and Bremerton Mayor Cary Bozeman.
   The last time, Locke attended a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for Tacoma Narrows Bridge II. That was the first time in recent memory he had visited the area.
   At the forum he met an audience of about 100 comprised of skeptics and supporters for the measure which seeks to raise the bulk of $7.7 billion through a 9-cent gas tax, and sales tax on new and used cars. Though all did not agree with Locke’s assertion that the measure was good for the state, they were happy to see him travel to the area.
   “It’s good to be able to bring the governor down here and ask him directly about issues,” said Gayle Burke, of Burke’s Office Equipment. “For instance, there’s not one word about funding other projects with tolls [in Referendum 51].
   “I don’t exactly like it but we have to start someplace.”
   Jim Leigh, a Gig Harbor land consultant, said he was one of the 10 percent or so who remain undecided on his vote.
   “I want to know what he really thinks about transportation,” Leigh said. “I’m still thinking it through and though I think it’s a step in the right direction I’m not sure it’s going to solve the problem.”
   Locke said after the meeting that he encountered a lot of misunderstanding about what was in the bill. He said the referendum was the “best and only” solution out there.
   “Referendum 51 focuses on safety and alleviating congestion in every part of the state,” Locke said. “The project list is detailed and extensive. [Money raised] can only be spent on those projects enumerated and already signed into law.”
   Transportation Committee numbers show that out of the $7.7 billion the list includes $25.6 million for three projects within Legislative Districts 25 and 26 as well as work along commuter paths.
   Locke said an improved transportation system would bring a better movement of goods and an increase in jobs, through keeping and attracting businesses.
   “We have always emerged stronger and we will get over this [economic] crisis, as well,” he said. “We don’t wait until businesses are looking to come to our state. We need to show we’ve already considered what’s needed and be ready.”
   The governor’s other main points addressed concerns he had heard from other citizens and groups:

• No Ref. 51 money goes to Sound Transit.
• While some mega-projects are only partially funded, the majority are completely funded by the new taxes. He said it would cost $50 billion to address all the state’s transportation problems.
• If the projects aren’t completed in the next 10 years the gas tax could be extended until they are.
• Design-build provisions are built in which means bidders must bid on the project taking into account all possible circumstances.

   “It also monitors what is being accomplished throughout,” Locke said. “It’s not perfect; some people want more transit or more freeways. We cannot let perfection be the enemy of a good package.”
   Kevin Raggio, a retailer, immediately dismissed all of Locke’s arguments.
   “He didn’t have much that was convincing,” Raggio said, after the meeting. “All I heard was campaigning and politics as usual. My question was about accountability and he danced around it, as he did other questions.
   In answer to the question Locke had replied that a lot of the roadwork now was done by the private sector and much of it was ahead of schedule.
   Legislators and candidates in attendance all supported the measure. They included state Senator Bob Oke, state Reps. Pat Lantz and Brock Jackley and candidates Betty Ringlee and Lois McMahan.
   Peninsula School District Superintendent Jim Coolican said he looked forward to saving money if Referendum 51 passed. He roughly estimated the sales tax and gas tax levies would cost his district about $20,000 annually.
   “But I’ll save money because our buses won’t be congested,” he said. “We’ll pay less wages, use less gas and our students won’t be on the buses as long.”