Sound transit recently revealed they will need an additional $30B to deliver ST3 and an additional $5B just to maintain what they’ve already built. They also haven’t addressed an additional $12B gap in federal funding that is part of their plan but does not seem likely to be awarded. So we are looking at $50B plus additional increases that we can all assume based on their track record.
They are their own taxing authority and have unfettered ability to increase their spending plan by billions each year without any checks and balances and there is nothing the taxpayer can do about it. They also have access to an immense amount of capital through TIFIA loans that is just debt we will also have to pay down later. It is ridiculous that they have run out of money and are asking for more.
They just announced this with vague details and it’s less than 2 weeks away. Apparently they will reveal more information in a week so they are trying to keep this under wraps so they can sneak it past folks that might object.
There is no form to provide public comments you must be there in person or sign up virtually on the day of.
Pasted the vague details below but here link to read for yourself: https://www.soundtransit.org/get-to-know-us/news-events/calendar/public-hearing-2026-budget-property-tax-levy-2025-10-09
I’ve posted additional information in comments in SeattleWA thread here https://www.reddit.com/r/SeattleWA/s/zEu6aR6cvT
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Sound Transit Proposed 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy
Public Hearing
Sound Transit, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, hereby gives notice that a public hearing will be held on Sound Transit’s Proposed 2026 Budget and Property Tax Levy. The hearing will be held:
Thursday, October 9th, 2025. 9:30 a.m.
Hybrid Meeting via Zoom and in-person at Sound Transit’s Ruth Fisher Board Room
401 S Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98104
Additional information on the public hearing will be available on Friday, October 3, 2025.
View the meeting calendar page here.
For more information on the public hearing or to request ADA accommodation, please call Sound Transit at (800) 201-4900 or (888) 713-6030 (TTY),
submitted by /u/One_Potato_2036
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