Gossett Refuses to Balance County Budget

on the Backs of the PoorJail Booking Fees, Bus Fare Increase Removed from Council Budget Plan Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Gossett, chair of the Council’s Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, announced that a proposed increase in bus fares and a plan to have people being booked into the county jail pay a fee will not be part of the budget proposal he presents to the full County Council on Nov. 22. “The booking fee would have a direct impact on poor and working class people who are struggling to survive throughout King County,” said Gossett. “Making people who are already in trouble pay for the ‘right’ to be locked up is placing a financial burden on those who can least afford it, and its impact can affect the lives of their relatives and friends. I will not be part of a budget that places an unnecessary financial burden on our King County prison population.” While there is pressure on Metro Transit because of a rise in oil prices, Gossett said right now is not the time to increase fares. “A quarter may not seem like much, but for many in our community, it can be the one obstacle which prevents them from being able to board the bus. We need to take more time to assess our needs before raising bus fares. Both the booking fee and bus fare increase were part of the 2005 King County Executive’s Proposed Budget. Gossett is leading the Council’s Budget Committee review of that spending plan. He is scheduled to present his Budget Striking Amendment to the 2005 Proposed Budget on Nov. 18, and the full Council is expected to take final action on the 2005 King County Budget on Mon., Nov. 22.