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TACOMA, Wash. – Friday, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Kathryn Nelson dismissed a class action claiming that Sound Transit misled voters by approving the expansion of Light Transit 3 light rail in 2016. question to the Supreme Court of the State.
"I find that I have to deny plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment that the law is unconstitutional," said Judge Nelson, citing previous jurisprudence.
State Senator Steve O'Ban, who represents Pierce County, led the charge against higher licensing fees and was in Tacoma's courtroom for this decision.
"We are disappointed with the result," O'Ban said. "But that's why we have classes."
O 'Ban led the legislature's failed attempt to correct what he says are over-inflated car values that make your car's taxes higher.
Under ST3, the state rates vehicles based on the manufacturer's suggested retail price, which is the highest price that a dealership would use rather than a source such as Kelly Blue Book.
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"There is no question that Sound Transit drafted the law, in a way that obscured the real intent, which was to resurrect an assessment schedule that voters had twice rejected because that it was unfair, "said O & # 39; Ban. .
Sound Transit spokesman Geoff Patrick applauded the decision to keep funding for 62 kilometers of light rail and express bus service intact.
"This decision is great news for commuters in this region," said Patrick. "We are convinced of the relevance of the legislation that allowed voters to free themselves from crippling congestion. And we are confident that we will be before the Supreme Court.
There is no estimated time for the appeal, but O & # 39; Ban said that he would not wait for the state Supreme Court. He plans to introduce new legislation in January that failed last spring.
Judge Nelson also stated that this case is probably far from over.
"We will discover, I'm sure some of the most complex arguments presented here will bring the day," she said.
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