Press release:

Today Councilmember Mike O’Brien asked the City Council to refer the agreements between the State of Washington and the City of Seattle to the ballot for a public vote in the August 2011 primary. At 2 p.m. this afternoon, Councilmember O’Brien will introduce the legislation that would allow Seattle residents a vote.

The measure would ask Seattle residents to consider the cost risks that they will have to bear, the significant environmental impacts of this project and approve spending billions on a new highway in an economic climate where important investments in education, health care and the public safety net are being cut.

“If we are serious about creating jobs and protecting our environment, there are better options. For example, we know that a dollar spent on public transit creates 70 percent more jobs than a dollar spent on building roads,” said Councilmember O’Brien.

The City Charter allows the City Council to refer legislation directly to the ballot for Seattle voters.

“The majority of the Council and the Mayor are clearly divided on whether to move forward with this project,” stated Councilmember O’Brien. “Residents of Seattle will ultimately bear the risk for this project and it is time that we let them vote on whether or not to bear that risk.”

The City Council voted 8-1 to override the Mayor’s veto on CB 117101. With the release of the final Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) this summer, the City Council will confirm its final commitment to the project.