Bill would reauthorize stadium taxes to be used for viaduct, bridge projects

OLYMPIA – When the current tax expires and the bond has been paid off for Safeco and Qwest fields, Sen. Ken Jacobsen, D-Seattle, wants to reauthorize the money to improve the Alaskan Way Viaduct and Highway 520 bridge projects.

“Our tax dollars should be going to the things that matter most. We should be putting funding into necessary and vital infrastructures instead of subsidizing arenas,” said Jacobsen.

Jacobsen is the main sponsor of Senate Bill 5022, which would reauthorize existing county taxes and state sales tax credits to be used for the construction, design, repair, or improvement of the 520 replacement bridge and the viaduct. Currently, a county with a population of 1 million or more can impose special sales and use taxes on retail sold at restaurants, taverns and bars. A special sales and use tax also exists for retail car rentals, lodging and admission charges for recreational activities.

“Major funding for big transportation projects in Seattle is necessary,” said Jacobsen. “It is my hope that the revenues from these taxes will be used to pay for improvements to the viaduct and the Lake Washington bridge.”

Improving our transportation system must be a priority and it is a responsible investment of taxpayer dollars, according to Jacobsen.

SB 5022 will soon be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee.

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