A coalition of Washington architects and engineers will pledge their support for Referendum Bill 51 at a special meeting with Governor Locke, slated for May 23. Craig Curtis AIA, Chair of the Architects & Engineers Legislative Council (AELC), will join colleagues from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington and AIA Washington Council in welcoming the Governor, and in inviting additional support for the campaign to pass the Referendum.

AIA Seattle President Steven N. Arai AIA will offer the architects' perspective on transportation issues, representing a significant number of design practices throughout Washington actively engaged in planning and designing transportation-related infrastructure and facilities.

The legislature's passage in the 2002 session of House Bill No. 2969 brings this Referendum to the people of Washington, regarding financing transportation improvements through transportation fees and taxes. This bill would increase highway capacity, public transportation, passenger and freight rail, and transportation financing accountability through increased fuel excise taxes, sales taxes on vehicles, and weight fees on trucks and large vehicles.