Business, labor and arts leaders are backing a bill requested by King County Executive Dow Constantine and introduced Feb. 18 in Olympia by State Rep. Tina Orwall to stimulate economic growth through support of programs that draw more tourists.

“Every visitor we bring to King County spends money and provides revenues needed to support human services, housing, public safety, and transportation,” said Constantine. “As the economy begins to recover, we need to do all we can to position the region for economic prosperity,

Orwall’s bill would reinvest four revenue streams currently dedicated to Safeco Field and Qwest Stadium to support arts and cultural programs, expand the Washington state Convention Center, establish workforce housing to help workers such as those employed in the hospitality, service, arts and related industries, and support other projects that spur tourism countywide and generate economic benefits.

Once the expanded convention center is fully operational, the new facility is estimated to bring in 130,000 additional new visitors per year once it reaches stable operations. Expanding the facility sooner will result in $1.4 billion in additional economic activity over the first decade.

Under the proposed legislation (HB 1997), four local revenue streams would stay in King County and be continued to support local economic growth.

• The 2% hotel/motel tax within King County would be continued. This revenue is committed to other purposes through 2020 but would be available for the activities proposed starting in 2021.
• The 0.5% sales tax collected at restaurants and bars in King County would expire as scheduled under law at the end of 2015. Because the bonds for Safeco Field are being repaid later this year, the remaining years of this revenue stream would be available for the proposed economic activities.
• Two car rental taxes totaling 3% would be continued.

According to Rep. Orwall’s office, four specific projects are included in the legislation:

• $3 million per year from 2012 to 2020 would go to 4Culture, King County’s Cultural Development Authority, which provides programs, financial support and services in the arts, public art, heritage and historic preservation.
• $5 million per year from 2012 to 2020 would go to the development of housing affordable to working people, such as those employed in tourism, hospitality, or arts related fields.
• $1 million per year would go to the Community Development and Preservation Authority Account to support the livability and visitor economy of neighborhoods near Safeco and Qwest fields.
• Remaining funds would support expansion of the Washington State Convention Center and other capital projects and programs that support tourism and generate economic activity in the region. The expanded Convention Center alone will draw tens of thousands of new visitors each year, and result in increased employment and tax revenue.

The Legislature last year converted the Convention Center from a state non-profit corporation to a King County Public Facilities District.