Posted on April 1, 2019
The proposed $4.6 billion 2019-21 capital budget introduced Monday by the State House of Representatives includes millions of dollars in funding for projects including the North Shore Levee, school improvements and more in Grays Harbor and Pacific counties.
“This is a phenomenal budget for our district. We walked into the legislative session with a deliberate focus on small ball funding. While other people chased $5 to $10 million dollar projects, we worked on securing capital funding for $500,000 to $700,000 improvements,” said Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen. “These midsize projects are all important for the 19th Legislative District. I’m really pleased with how we’ve been able to work the levers of this proposed capital budget.”
Local projects
The budget was issued Monday by House Capital Budget Chairman Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Port Townsend, and Rep. Jim DeBolt, R-Chehalis. Some highlights on the Twin Harbors include:
Walsh also noted other proposed capital funding that would impact the 19th District, including $2 million for the Washington Coastal Restoration Project:
“I’m happy that we’re able to fund a great fish habitat restoration project on the upper Quinault River. While this project is located just outside the 19th District, it’s of great importance to our communities,” continued Walsh. “It’s a chance for us to work together with the Quinault Indian Nation — a key strategic neighbor and partner in economic development in this part of the state.”
Statewide
The House capital budget totals $4.6 billion with $3.1 billion in projects funded with bond revenue, said Tharinger.
Funds for building new public schools total $1.1 billion for K-12 schools, including $60 million for rural and distressed schools and $30 million for early learning facilities. There’s $927 million in the budget for public colleges and universities, including $368 million for community colleges.
“This is a capital budget that puts people first while putting men and women in hard hats to work,” Tharinger said. “It will create jobs in every corner of the state and help tackle some of our toughest challenges, such as affordable housing, homelessness and the mental health crisis.”
To help expand the state’s ability to treat mental illness and addiction, the proposal includes:
$34 million for a Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital at the University of Washington
$172 million for construction, renovation and upgrading of existing facilities
Funding to design and construct two new 16-bed and two 48-bed behavioral health facilities
$34 million to design and begin construction on a new forensic hospital
$117 million for community behavioral health facilities, a critical piece to transition patients from Western State Hospital to less restrictive settings where outcomes are better and cheaper
$30 million for permanent supportive housing
Other highlights include $155 million for affordable housing developments, $30 million for rural broadband internet access and $463 million to help the struggling populations of salmon and orca while improving water quality.
The proposal was scheduled for a public hearing Tuesday and a vote in committee later this week. It’s expected to get a vote on the floor early next week, said Tharinger.
Source: thedailyworld.com
