As the transportation debate continues in the two chambers of the Washington State Legislature, the city of Mercer Island is keeping a close eye on its top priority for the session: to ensure that a proposal to toll on I-90 to fund SR-520 doesn’t come to fruition.

The transportation packages coming out of the Senate and House committees—both of which look to spend around $15 billion on a variety of projects with revenue from an 11.7 cent incremental gas tax increase—don’t include tolling I-90.

Rep. Judy Clibborn (D-Mercer Island), chair of the House Transportation Committee, said tolling won’t happen as long as she is there. She stopped the Environmental Impact Study of the proposal, but said it is still in the contingency plan if other funds fall short.

State Treasurer Jim McIntire warned against overreliance on the gas tax, and said on TVW’s “Inside Olympia” and in a committee hearing that revenue from tolling I-90 could help cover bonding for transportation projects. It wouldn’t pay for the completion of SR-520.

The city is continuing to follow the issue in Olympia.

“After the most recent statement by our State Treasurer, the City Manager confirmed again with our lobbyist that tolling is not under discussion either in the House or Senate. I applaud Islanders for continuing to be vigilant on this,” said Deputy Mayor Dan Grausz.

Other electeds say that actions are louder that words.

“It’s not enough for our legislators to say tolling is not going to happen,” said Councilmember Mike Cero. “We need our 41st Legislators to pass the State Transportation Package with minimum changes from that received by the Senate.”

The House proposal contains two elements that were not included in the legislation passed previously: authorizing $15 billion in funding authority for Sound Transit, and forming a reserve account—the transportation future fund—to pay for unanticipated future needs, like Bertha, the tunnel boring machine.

“A robust, modern transportation system is critical to our economy and our quality of life here in Washington,” Clibborn said. “This package will create jobs, combat traffic congestion, and connect the communities of our state together.”

The 105-day legislative session is scheduled to end April 26. Clibborn has said that she thinks lawmakers would go into special session to reach an agreement on a transportation package, which they have struggled to do in the past.