At the request of 28 suburban cities and in a strong show of solidarity, the Board of Directors of the Suburban Cities Association has voted unanimously to oppose I-985, the latest initiative sponsored by Tim Eyman.

Although Eyman claims the initiative will ease traffic congestion, the SCA knows it will actually cripple the economy of cities across King County.

Auburn Mayor Pete Lewis is currently the Vice President of the SCA Board and recently responded to an e-mail from Eyman requesting information on Auburn’s digital photo enforcement of red lights and school zones. His response indicated that should this initiative pass, Auburn would be forced to shut down its photo enforcement program and be unable to complete or expand many of its traffic calming projects.

I-985 would open up carpool lanes to all drivers outside the hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. As commuters throughout Puget Sound know, rush hour goes well past 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. I-985 would reduce the speed of buses, vanpools and carpools, forcing more single drivers back onto the roads and increasing commute times.

But perhaps the most damaging part of I-985 is hidden in the details. Over the next five years, it would raid more than $600 million from the state’s general fund that pays for schools and law enforcement. It would also funnel away money from red light cameras used to improve traffic safety, and force standardized traffic rules in local areas that make no sense. Local taxpayers would be also forced to spend more on transportation projects, while getting less for their money.

Tim Eyman has taunted the state DOT, telling officials to get ready for the sweeping changes that will have to be made. But the SCA and its member cities are standing up to his taunts, because we know this is a smoke-and-mirrors campaign that none of us can afford.

The Suburban Cities Association is a nonprofit organization serving 35 suburban cities in King County. Its mission is to provide leadership through advocacy, education, mutual support and networking to suburban cities in King County as they act locally and partner regionally to create livable vital communities.