The Mercer Island Reporter Editorial Board interviewed proponents and opponents of Sound Transit’s $54 billion ballot measure, Sound Transit 3.

Both sides were given one hour to present their arguments, including King County Deputy Executive Fred Jarrett and King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci for the pro side, and opponents Bellevue City Councilmember Kevin Wallace and Bellevue developer Kemper Freeman, Jr. The board also looked into additional information about ST3 and weighed the uncertain tax implications of several other pending state and local issues.

After careful consideration, the Reporter recommends a no vote on Sound Transit 3.

We do so for two reasons. First, while we believe reliable mass transit that addresses the huge expected growth in traffic is imperative for our region and for our community, there are other issues hanging in the balance that will also affect Island voters.

The Legislature must resolve the McCleary decision and fully fund education. Plus, next November Islanders may need to consider levy lid lifts, as both the city and school district face funding challenges. We see these as major priorities. Voters first should have a more complete picture of our state and local obligations and how these will be met before deciding how best to move forward with ST3.

Second, ST3 will expand the regional mass transit system by connecting the major cities in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties with light rail, Bus Rapid Transit, express bus and commuter rail. Sound Transit proposes to add 62 new miles of light rail, completing a 116-mile regional system stretching from Everett to DuPont that ST1 started in 1996. This would add to Sound Transit’s East Link project that voters approved in 2008 as part of ST2, which will bring light rail to Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond in 2023.

However, ST3’s assumptions, scale and extremely high cost still leave too many unanswered questions for voters. A no vote would send Sound Transit back to the drawing board to come up with a more concrete plan that meets the diverse needs of the public of all three counties.

The Reporter’s Editorial Board is a seven-member panel made up of the Reporter’s publisher, its editor and five residents from the community. Contact the board at editorialboard@mi-reporter.com.