OLYMPIA — Companion bills introduced in the state Senate and House of Representatives would make Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald’s position a Cabinet seat subject to hiring and firing by the governor.
Currently, the transportation chief is chosen by the independent state Transportation Commission.
SB5513 was introduced by Senate Transportation Chairwoman Mary Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island, on Jan. 26.
It was referred to Haugen’s Transportation Committee for a first reading, and received a public hearing in committee on Jan. 27.
The companion bill, HB1642, was introduced Feb. 1 by House Transportation Chairman Ed Murray, D-Seattle.
It followed a similar path, being referred to Murray’s Transportation Committee for a first reading, then receiving a public hearing in committee on Feb. 2.
Proposed policy change
The bills seek to reverse decades of state transportation policy, which has sought to keep politics out of transportation.
The bills were spurred by the Department of Transportation’s abandonment in late December of its Port Angeles graving yard project.
The move has cost the state $58.8 million so far and added years to the construction schedules for two floating bridge projects: the Hood Canal Bridge, and Evergreen Point Bridge that carries state Highway 520 between Seattle and Medina.
Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, said historically the Republican caucus has been reluctant to make the transportation secretary directly accountable to the governor.
“But that has gone. Some elected official needs to be accountable somewhere,” he said.
House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said the current arrangement, in which the secretary answers only to the governor-appointed Transportation Commission, often leaves legislators “feeling impotent.”
“We are trying to get that position back into the governor’s appointment process, ” Kessler said.
“Right now, DOT can spend money on whatever they want. So that will be interesting to watch.”
Senate confirmation
Under the proposed legislation, the transportation secretary would be appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, with the salary determined by the governor.
The secretary would become an ex-officio member of the Transportation Commission without a vote.
Currently, MacDonald is the Transportation Commission’s chief executive officer, responsible to the board and guided by its policies.
He can be removed by the commission, but only for incapacity, incompetence, neglect of duty, malfeasance in office or failure to carry out the commission’s policies.
Before any dismissal, the law entitles the secretary to a hearing before the commission on formal written charges.
The commission’s decision to remove the secretary is final.
