Transaction Politics that didn't work for Rod Dembowski

Rod Dembowski explained his plan that was vetoed by the King Council Executive Dow Constantine, to temporarily mitigate some cuts to Metro bus service in a lengthy letter to his constituents. Some of King County Council District 1 overlaps Seattle City Council's 5th Legislative District.

Dembowski proposed to spend money we do not have as a temporary funding solution. His bill was supported by four Republican councilmembers, one of which gained some Metro services in the political exchange. 

Transaction politics is not unusual, and sometimes can lead to mutually beneficial compromises, but in this case the overall policy was built on money we didn't actually have, not yet, maybe never, either way, unreliable.

On Jun 17, 2014, at 4:15 PM, King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski <District1enews@kingcounty.gov> wrote:

Dear Friend:

 

The County Council has been in the news in recent days, including last Friday's Seattle Times editorial, as we work to address the financial challenges facing Metro Transit.  I wanted to update you on our efforts to protect our riders, and grow the system in the future.  While this update is a little longer than normal, I want you to have the details on this important decision.

 

Over these past several months, the Council has deliberated over the best path forward to address the financial challenges facing Metro Transit. Through these deliberations, I have consistently held the position that we must exhaust all options to prevent draconian bus cuts that would devastate Metro workers and Metro transit riders who rely on our buses to get to work, school, the grocery store, and medical appointments. I listened carefully to the voters in April.  I believe voters want to invest to grow and strengthen Metro Transit, but want to see more of the good work we've done in recent years to improve its finances.

 

The County Executive proposed legislation that would cut 550,000 hours of bus service (16% of the system).  I strongly believe that we have a duty to the 200,000 people who rely on Metro each day, to look at every option before we disrupt their lives and their livelihoods.   We also owe this to the hundreds of transit workers whose family-wage jobs are on the line.   And, I feel that we need to respond to some of the questions voters have about Metro Transit's finances, so that we improve our odds of success for a future funding measure.

 

We live in one of the fastest growing regions in the country and we are fortunate that our economy has produced better than expected sales tax revenue ($31 million over Metro's adopted budget for 2014, and $32 million over 2015 projections).  Additionally, King County's Lean management efforts offer ongoing opportunities to identify additional cost savings and efficiencies at Metro.  For example, there is an effort underway right now to move towards just-in-time delivery practices for our $16 million parts inventory.  That will save money.  Efforts like that, as well as reviewing our capital expenditures and fund balance policies can keep more service online.  I also support adjusting our fare policies (e.g. reviewing discounts, paper transfers, and other options) to obtain new revenue to keep buses rolling. 

 

I introduced an Action Plan to move these ideas forward.  My colleagues agreed with me, and voted unanimously to support my legislation calling for a series of reform and revenue-raising steps between now and the fall budget season. This work includes:

 

• An independent audit of Metro's operations, finances and fund balance policies;

• Changing fare policies to increase revenue; and

• Reducing Metro's cost structure and establishing transparent peer comparison benchmarks.

 

This is not work without a purpose.  It will help us avoid many of the cuts now proposed.

 

A majority of my peers also voted in favor of part two of my plan: an ordinance implementing only the service reductions slated for September of this year, and delaying the 2015 cuts until we complete the work outlined above and adopt our budget this November.  

In my ordinance, the Fall 2014 routes were cut exactly as proposed by the County Executive.  We did ask for a report related to certain DART (Dial-a-Ride Transit) routes, which we authorized to be cut, as requested by the Executive.  DART service is contracted to HopeLink, and is the lowest per-hour cost service we provide.   Our amendment required that before those routes were cut, that Metro determine if those runs could be made more productive, or redeployed on other routes. 

Under my legislation, cuts proposed for 2015, if necessary, would be finalized after we complete our budget process for the next two years.  This is how we have always run Metro Transit in the past.  We adopt a budget, and set service levels accordingly.   Cutting service for 2015, today, before our budget work is done in November is, in my view, operating in the dark and ignores the many choices we have to keep buses rolling.

Unfortunately, this ordinance was vetoed by the County Executive.  

The Seattle Times, the League of Women Voters, Northwest Kidney Centers, Virginia Mason, elected officials across King County and hundreds of residents have voiced their support for my approach to preserve and grow our world class bus system. Metro is fundamental to our county's economic and environmental future. Severe cuts equate to severe disruption in the lives of many, which I cannot support without exhausting all other options.

After his veto, I called the County Executive and met with him to explore options on how we can move forward.  I believe that we share common goals: keep as many hours of service on the road, and be responsible fiscal stewards.   I am convinced that reasonable leaders can find a way to move forward together to achieve these objectives, and am working hard every day to do just that.

I would appreciate hearing your thoughts and ideas on the best path to move forward. Email or call me at rod.dembowski@kingcounty.gov or 206.477.1001. If you would like to contact other Councilmembers, there information can be found here.  If you would like to share your thoughts with the County Executive, his information can be found here

Thank you for your continued interest in this important topic. I will keep you updated as we continue our work.

Very Truly Yours,  

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Rod Dembowski

King County Councilmember, District 1
Chair, Transportation, Economy & Environment Committee

516 3rd Avenue, Room 1200
Seattle, WA 98104
ph: (206) 477-1001 | fx: (206) 296-0198 
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