Proposal to Promote Opportunities for Community and Economic Growth from the Bottom Up

David W. Bilsland

Be it proposed that the Washington State Quest Card be acknowledged and accepted by public transit authorities as a free bus pass. This will enhance the mobility of those most in need of a hand up and give them an opportunity to lend a hand in shaping of the economic revitalization of the state of Washington.

Imagine the economic effect of 10,000 working poor, those who make minimum wage and need to use state benefits (food stamps, medical coupons and/or GAU) just to make ends meet. If their Quest Card could be used as a bus pass, they would have between $18 and $135 a month more to spend (depending on where they live and their transportation needs). Not only will this working stiff have more budget-stretching dollars to spend each month, they have generated revenue to the tax rolls That would be $180,000 to $1,350,000 shot to the economy of the respective metropolitan areas every month. This could have the economic impact of 12 major conventions, every year!

Figuring that each dollar spent will be taxed 7 times as it changes hands, this could amount to a taxable $1,260,000 to $9,450,000 each month. This would generate $14,400 to $756,000 in tax revenue per county. This affect is based on a model using 10,000 people. With the state poverty rate hovering around 10.6% (2004) (Spokane is at 16.9%), this will increase mobility, and therefore opportunity for more than a million Washingtonians.

Many of the poor worry that they can’t get help because they can’t scrape $2 to get to an appointment. It gets worse when the first appointment sets up another “must do” appointment that the client doesn’t have the extra dollar for the 3rd essential bus ride. The increased mobility will help people to get more places. This means that doctors, therapists, potential employers, legal advisors and other service providers will be more accessible than they are now.

Lets take a look at what will happen to the several state and local agencies that assist the low-income and homeless in our community. Such-and-such agency issues 1,000 free bus passes per month and spend too much time filling out paperwork to track them. This proposal will free-up $18,000 to $135,000 and countless hours that will be put to better use by these state agencies and local non-profits.

Low income and homeless folks who go to the “soup kitchens” to eat have to consider if it take more energy than its worth to get to the meal sites. It just doesn’t make sense to expend 1000 calories to get a 500- calorie meal.

Some parents have to forgo meals, especially at the end of the month, so that their children can eat. The price of a bus pass is enough of a budget boost that these children don’t have to watch their parents go hungry.

This proposal will revitalize our economy, reapportion service provider time and assets, enhance the relationships between professionals and their clients and provide a means to reduce hunger among the poorest in our community . This sounds like one of the best ways for out state government and transit authorities to invest in our community, to empower the less fortunate with greater mobility.

Increased mobility = increased opportunity

For more information or comment, contact the author at dwbilsland@hotmail.com

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