In a letter yesterday, Mayor Mike McGinn and all nine members of the city council expressed their support for a proposed two-year, $20 vehicle license fee to pay for Metro transit service, calling it "small compared to the cost of delay and congestion that will be felt by riders and non-riders alike if Metro has to cut 17% of its system."

"We know that it is never easy to impose a tax or fee on residents, even a temporary one, but $20 is less than the cost of a tank of gas. ... The County Council has unanimously raised fares four times for a total increase of $1.00 per trip. This total fare increase is costing commuters $2 per day or about $500 a year---compared to the $20 a year with the [$20 fee increase]."

Last night, seven county council members, including Republicans Jane Hague and Pete von Reichbauer, showed up at a packed hearing in Burien to express their support for the fee. Under state law, the council needs a supermajority of six to pass the fee without putting it out to a public vote; so far, five council members, all Democrats, have said they will support passing the measure.