Seattle seeks candidates with no relevant experience to solve city's transportation funding crisis

Added: 2026-05-09

[00:00:00]Headline from the Center Square: Seattle seeks more transportation funding just 2 years into a record $1.5 billion dollar levy.

[00:00:09]So, you might recall just 2 years ago voters in Seattle approved the largest transportation levy in city's history the city's history, $1.55 billion dollars.

[00:00:19]But, 2 years later they're already coming out saying, "We need to generate more money." These people are insane. The Seattle Department of Transportation published applications online for the transportation funding task force this week. The initiative is supported by $1.5 million dollars to $2 million dollars in funding from the 2024 transportation levy, which started at a rate of 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. So, they had the largest transportation tax levy in city's history.

[00:00:46]It wasn't enough. Now, they're going to spend $2 million dollars on a task force to figure out how they can get more money. Got it. So, Nicole was checking out the applications online for this.

[00:00:57]Says, "Help shape the future of funding for Seattle streets, sidewalk and bridges sidewalks and bridges." What they really mean is for the future of Seattle's bike lanes. Says, "Join the transportation funding task force." So, it says, "We're looking for community members to help answer a critical question. How do we generate equitable, sustainable funding to help reduce the gap between Seattle's transportation needs and the resources available to build and maintain them." So, they're looking for citizens to join the task force. Here the task force, again, which is about transportation funding, okay? Transportation funding. Here's what it says.

[00:01:35]"You don't need to be a transportation or finance expert to apply." Yep.

[00:01:39][laughter] In fact, no relevant no relevant expertise whatsoever. And that'll really That will be a group of people who will really get >> [laughter] >> us out of this situation. You don't need to be an expert in transportation or finance for the Committee on Transportation and Finance.

[00:01:59]>> [laughter] >> an individual. You just need to be a human person. It says we're looking for collaborative people who care about Seattle's transportation system.

[00:02:11]Oh my gosh. And then it says that they will compensate you $75 an hour if you demonstrate financial hardship.

[00:02:19]Okay.

[00:02:20]First of all, I do think that you should be paid to be on a committee like this.

[00:02:24]>> If you have to give them a significant amount of your time, I that makes sense.

[00:02:29]Yeah, it says well, it's only 3 to 6 hours per month. So, yeah.

[00:02:33]>> what I'm saying. So, I think that it I mean, if you're a volunteer, you're volunteering your time.

[00:02:38]>> And frankly, I want people who are able to volunteer 3 to 6 hours per month because they don't need the money because I feel like they'll make better decisions than people who are like, "Oh, I need I need, you know, >> my next fix."

[00:02:49]>> $225 for the month. And yeah, so.

[00:02:51]>> You know they'll be at the top of the list.

[00:02:53]>> But I'm glad I I qualify because I don't have any transportation or finance experience.

[00:02:58]>> [laughter] >> So, maybe I'll apply for this. It's just just wonderful.

[00:03:01]>> need to drive. You just >> No. No.

[00:03:04]>> I'll take my bike there. I got a bike, you know. Mhm. I got an e-bike.