Sen. Murray muscles ferry money

Senator Patty Murray secures additional federal funding for Washington State ferries.

One day after a major oversight in which the U.S. Department of Transportation failed to provide adequate stimulus funding to the nation’s largest ferry system, U.S. Sen. Patty Murray announced she has secured an additional $7.6 million for Washington state’s ferry docks and terminals from Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The funding includes $2.59 million for the Seattle-Bremerton Passenger-Only Fast Ferry: Prototype Vessel Procurement.

Murray demanded a review and explanation of the decision to shortchange the nation’s largest ferry system. She received word from the Secretary’s office that it was an oversight and would be fixed.

“My message to the Transportation Secretary was clear: Washington state has the largest ferry system in the country and you need to fix this problem. He did and it’s a major win for our state and our economy,” Murray said.

“When you talk about economic recovery in Washington state you’re talking about ferries. They get people to work, keep businesses moving and keep our economy going.”

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