Senator Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, released the following statement regarding the transportation budget.

“This evening we passed a transportation package that makes an historic $6.1 billion investment in our transportation infrastructure. It funds a fourth ferry and provides $300 million in new operating funds to guarantee ferry service levels for over six years.  It provides funding for critical projects in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties such as the Guemes Channel Trail, Sharpes Corner and the Slater Road Interchange.

“Unfortunately I could not support this proposal as it included language that the Republicans demanded, blocking Governor Inslee from advancing the clean fuels program. The clean fuels program is one of the most effective and proven ways to address climate change, safeguard clean air and support new and innovative Washington businesses and local jobs.

“The clean fuels program would reduce carbon emissions by over four million tons per year in Washington state. Children with asthma and adults with chronic lung disease will breathe easier with each passing year as fuels, and the air, become cleaner in Washington. The oil industry should be held accountable for cleaning up the air that they impact instead of taxpayers footing the bill.

“In the end, however, we were asked to choose between a critical transportation package and clean air and healthy communities.  Washingtonians deserve clean air and safe roads. To pit one against the other is a false choice and helps no one. We need both.

“We should have passed a clean transportation package that simply builds critical transportation infrastructure and does not make ideological demands.

“The health of our children, our economy and our environment are at stake. There is so much more we can do as a state and a country to address climate change. Today one of those critical tools was taken from us.”