A small sales tax cut has big implications for Tri-Cities transit

In recent months, Ben Franklin Transit, the operator of public transportation in Benton and Franklin counties, has been considering something unusual — cutting its own funding.

In a story that includes buses, taxes, and a Tim Eyman cameo, Soundside dives into what's happening with transit in the Tri-Cities.

Since April, a question has been debated at Ben Franklin Transit in the Tri-Cities — whether to ask voters to cut the sales tax the agency collects by .1%.

Point-one percent means a tax of $1 for every $1,000 spent. Transit company officials project that, if the sales tax cut were approved, Ben Franklin Transit would lose $33 million over the next five years.

The move also would trigger other funding cuts from the state. A portion of transit funding from "Move Ahead Washington," a $17 billion transportation spending package passed by Washington lawmakers this spring, requires that transit agencies not lower the amount of revenue they collect. In the case of Ben Franklin Transit that amounts to a potential reduction of $75 million in funding over 16 years.

Proponents of sending the tax rollback to the ballot say the reduction would provide some relief to county taxpayers who are dealing with inflation, high gas prices, and a recent sales tax increase to fund health services. Critics of Ben Franklin also question whether the transit company is using its funds efficiently, although company officials have disputed those claims.

The debate over transit funding goes beyond buses and vans in the Tri-Cities. It highlights the increased polarization on fundamental issues like trust in government. It also puts a big spotlight on the flaws built into the model for funding transportation services in Washington state.

Soundside examines the ins and outs of the Tri-Cities transit tax debate and how it relates to transit policy across the state.