Senators balance transportation budget despite revenue shortfall caused by I-976

OLYMPIA -- Facing a shortfall of $450 million, lawmakers this week patched together a budget to fund highway maintenance, the Washington State Patrol and other transportation projects.

The Senate Transportation Committee developed a proposed transportation budget that would maintain short-term stability following the revenue shortfall caused by the passage of I-976 — the $30 car tab initiative.

Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, said assembling this budget through the revenue crisis required more bipartisan cooperation than in most years. He said the committee prioritized allocations to protect...