Gov. Jay Inslee says that passing a transportation funding package this year must be a priority for the Legislature.

In an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Inslee said he is concerned that momentum for passing such a plan has been dissipating.

House Democrats last month unveiled a $9.8 billion dollar transportation funding package that included a 10-cent bump in the gas tax and more than $3 billion in new bonds.

House Transportation Committee Chair Judy Clibborn said Thursday that she is optimistic that a scaled-back plan that excludes a new car registration fee and hazardous substance tax will gain traction among lawmakers.