Published Friday, May 24, 2002 in the Seattle Times

Hoping to change my mind about Seattle's transportation needs, The Times labeled me the "Mayor of West Seattle." (Editorial, May 19.) To that, I say, you bet!

Shocking news, but I am the mayor of West Seattle - and Ballard, Lake City, Beacon Hill and all of the city's neighborhoods. I'm mayor of all of Seattle, even tiny Hillman City (to get there, go south from Columbia City). The Times does not approve of my observation that the statewide transportation plan shortchanges Seattle.

I prefer to be honest with the people. The Legislature offers the city an unfair deal. Seattle has the second-worst traffic congestion in the nation, and should be the top priority for state funding. But the state's largest city keeps only 90 cents of every tax dollar raised in the proposal.

With all of our traffic headaches, why would we want to export transportation dollars? The statewide plan sets aside $1.8 billion for widening Interstate 405, which carries 187,000 vehicles daily, but only $450 million for replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, a crumbling, unsafe corridor that carries 110,000 vehicles a day. The city especially does poorly in the state plan for mass transit. Seattle gets less than 10 percent of funding for transit service, and zero for light rail.

As a King County Council member for 14 years, I worked hard to promote improved funding for the region's roads and mass transit. Now, as mayor of West Seattle, and other city neighborhoods, it's my job to look out for the transportation needs of this city. I'm proud to do it, and I'll keep fighting for the people of Seattle.