Our Views: Twin Transit Rate Changes Reflect Public Input

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Twin Transit is dealing with difficult financial realities as it moves to create a rate structure that is both fair and foundationally sound.

Last week, the Twin Transit Board of Directors — which includes Chehalis Councilor Chad Taylor, Lewis County Commissioner Bill Schulte and Centralia Councilor John Elmore — approved a plan to keep single-board and day passes the same while eliminating student and senior passes. 

While the programs that have been dropped were worthwhile, the board was forced to act due in part to evasion by riders who board buses but don’t pay.

The final version of the rate structure approved by the board came only after intense public comment. 

It appears that Twin Transit leaders headed the advice of riders to the best of its ability, incorporating several alterations suggested by residents. 

The final rate structure surely won’t make everyone happy, but it reflects a desire to arrive at a fair conclusion after taking into account the input of the people who utilize the important service.

 

Water Bill Stalled in Legislature

It’s too early to officially declare a $4 billion bill to address the state’s water woes dead, but the lack of progress since the legislation was presented Jan. 26 is disappointing. 



The bill — sponsored in part by state Sens. John Braun, R-Centralia, and Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond — arrived in the Legislature during yet another session filled with financial demands that appear to have overshadowed the broad-based legislation.

The idea, initiated by state Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, is to tie stormwater, water shortages and flood mitigation into one piece of legislation, thereby uniting elected representatives from several districts for a common cause.

The bill calls for funding through a tax on land parcels, an aspect that has apparently caused some legislators to be slow to sign on to the effort.

“I think it’s a problem predominantly with the method they’re using to fund the bill. It is a tax on parcels,” said Centralia’s Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority representative Ron Averill. 

The legislation could be a vital funding source for a water retention dam, as well as water quality and habitat improvements, on the Chehalis River.

While nearly $80 million has been included in the Senate’s proposed transportation package, the statewide bill would provide a more meaningful and long-lasting boost. 

We hope legislators will take another look at this vital legislation — which is even more applicable considering coming water shortages — before the end of the current session.