Seattle Times – More federal stimulus dollars roll into Washington state, this time $10 million to help Sound Transitâs rail budget and $15 million to control traffic flows on I-5 at Joint Base Lewis McChord.
The awards by the U.S. Department of Transportation were announced Tuesday by Democratic Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell of Washington state. Murray sponsored the TIGER Act (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) that distributes funds to âshovel-readyâ projects nationwide.
Sound Transitâs piece will go toward the $383 million South Link extension from SeaTac/Airport Station to South 200th Street near International Boulevard South, to open by 2016. The agency had sought $27 million in TIGER money.
As one of the most beautiful states in the unionâand one of the richest in natural resourcesâWashington has a special interest in energy and environmental policy. And Maria has fought hard to uphold the stateâs conservation tradition, while also working to bring our energy policy into the 21st century.
Maria knows Washingtonâs business community â because, as an executive at an innovative software company, she was part of it. And as a Senator, sheâs led the way in helping businesses large and small throughout Washington grow, thrive, and create jobs.
Maria has taken a leadership role on safety and security issues, including defending our borders, strengthening our military, cracking down on gangs, and taking on drug crime in Washington communities
Middle-class families around Washington and across the country are facing tough timesâand tough decisions about balancing the family checkbook each month. Maria has fought to strengthen the economic security of Washington families and cut taxes for middle-class families.
