This post originally appeared on Orphan Road.

The latest from the campaign:

Seattle—Across the region, business, labor and opinion leaders are urging greater investment in our transportation system by passing Proposition 1.

These leaders understand the nexus between economic development and transit expansion. Proposition 1 funds more buses, adds more commuter rail, and builds 36 miles of light rail. While our polls have been very positive, the numbers bump higher when people hear the price. For a 5/10 of one percent sales tax increase, we get a 100-year mass transit system, a boost in economic development, and good jobs that will plow investment back into our community.

Here’s what people are saying:

“As a region and state, we are entering a very troubled period when many companies here face serious challenges. At such times, the need to invest in our infrastructure, create jobs, and plan for our region’s economic recovery and long-term competitiveness is more important than ever.”
-Tayloe Washburn, chair, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce

“Construction represents 6 percent of the state’s workforce but 16 percent of the economy. The jobs created by Proposition 1 will grow the state’s middle class and put us back on the road to economic recovery.”
-Daren Konopaski, business manager, International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 302

“Our ability to grow and thrive as an urban center is linked to accessibility. We approached this decision asking, ‘What’s best for Downtown Bellevue?’ Connecting downtown with the region through safe and reliable mass transit is essential to our community’s future success.”
-Jill Ostrem, chair, Bellevue Downtown Association

“Proposition 1 is a key part of dealing with gridlock and traffic. It will be an economic stimulus providing good paying jobs, and boosting the economy.”
-Mike Sells, Secretary-Treasurer of the Snohomish County Labor Council

“The first priority in this economy must be the creation of good-paying jobs and voting yes on Proposition 1 will do just that. Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said the project would create at least 66,000 direct and indirect jobs. But that figure could be conservative. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that 47,500 jobs are created for every billion dollars invested in transportation projects.”
-Seattle Post Intelligencer editorial board, Oct. 17, 2008

“And this is also a good time to engage in some serious infrastructure spending, which the country badly needs in any case. The usual argument against public works as economic stimulus is that they take too long: by the time you get around to repairing that bridge and upgrading that rail line, the slump is over and the stimulus isn’t needed. Well, that argument has no force now, since the chances that this slump will be over anytime soon are virtually nil. So let’s get those projects rolling.”
-Paul Krugman, columnist, New York Times, Oct. 16, 2008

For more information:
International Union of Operating Engineers: 206-251-5399
Bellevue Downtown Association, Patrick Bannon, 425-453-3113
Snohomish County Labor Council: 425-259-7922
Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Christina Donegan: 206-389-7241