Senate OKs $9B for roads, ferries
State Sen. Don Benton’s unsuccessful amendments to the Senate transportation budget Wednesday included giving Clark County residents the right to vote on advancing the Columbia River Crossing project and the proposed tolling for it.
“I don’t think another state dollar should be spent on the Columbia River Crossing project until the people of Clark County have a say in the final design for the facility,” Benton said. “Already, $115 million has been spent with little to show for it, and Oregon hasn’t even paid its half yet.”
Benton said requests to the Clark County Commission for an advisory vote have been rejected, which is why he brought his case to the Legislature.
“The chairwoman of the Senate Transportation Committee asked for a ‘no’ vote on the amendments I offered to protect the people in Clark County. She got her way,” Benton said.
