Paying For the System

State law allows the RTA to ask voters in the Central Puget Sound region to increase their local taxes to pay for a regional HCT system. The law allows the RTA to ask voters within the RTA District for up to a 9/10 of one percent sales tax, 8/10 of one percent motor vehicle excise (license tab) tax, and an employer tax of $2 per employee.

The financial plan assumes the local funding for Sound Move at leass than 40 percent of the authorized level. Funds will come from a 4/10 of one percent increase in sales tax and a 3/10 of one percent increase in the license tab tax to be collected with the RTA District.

State law also allows the RTA to issue municipal bonds. The financial plan for Sound Move includes long-term bond financing at a level significantly lower than state law allows.