State Senators Curtis King (R-Yakima), Steve Hobbs (D-Lake Stevens), Joe Fain (R-Auburn) and Marko Liias (D-Lynnwood) held a press conference today to unveil their plan to pay for more transportation projects.

The bills and balance sheet can be found, here:

https://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/2015/st1517p.asp

The proposal would increase the gas tax by 11.7 cents over the next three years, to a total state tax of 49.2 cents per gallon. Of the $15 billion package, $1.35 billion would go to highway maintenance and preservation. It would also send $375 million in "mostly flex funds" to cities and counties directly. Some of the major projects included in the proposal per the press conference:

• $1.5 billion to complete SR-520 Bridge
• $1.9 billion for 167/509 Gateway
• $861 million for the North South Freeway in Spokane
• $450 million for projects around Joint Base Lewis McChord
• $1.2 billion for Interstate 405

In addition to highway projects, the package would allow Sound Transit officials to impose a 0.5% sales tax, a 0.3% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, and a $10 per $100,000 property tax. If enacted Sound Transit is “restricted from receiving State funds.” Sound Transit taxes would be subject to a public vote.

Updates to come.