Neither Fred Jarrett nor Ross Hunter, who were rated “very good” by the Municipal League, have used their legislative positions to effectively represent Eastside commuters. Both have either supported or at least quietly acquiesced to Sound Transit’s East Link proposal, a $4 billion fiasco for the vast majority of Eastside commuters.

The only beneficiaries of Sound Transit’s plan to confiscate the bridge center section for light rail will be those who live in downtown Bellevue or have easy access to the South Bellevue P&R. They will be able to switch from riding the bus to riding light rail, not particularly effective for reducing cross-lake congestion. Everyone else will be forced onto the outer bridge, a sure recipe for future gridlock.

Equally troubling is the fact they both supported forcing Eastside residents pay a toll for rebuilding the 520 bridge. Taxes generated on the East side have made up 40 percent of Sound Transit’s funding through 2008, but Eastsiders have only gotten 15 percent of the spending.

Last year’s vote doubled their taxes for a light rail system that will only increase their commute times. Requiring them to also pay a toll is surely rubbing salt in their wounds.

Bill Hirt, Bellevue