WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

State capital budget invests $2 million in Federal Way Performing Arts and Conference Center

A statement from Rep. Carol Gregory (D-Federal Way, 30th district)

“I want to publicly thank Chair Hans Dunshee and my fellow lawmakers who serve on the House Capital Budget Committee for including a key investment of $2 million in Federal Way’s Performing Arts and Conference Center.

“Our city and our region are growing and thriving, economically, culturally and recreationally.  When completed, the PACC will give Federal Way and our neighboring communities in south King County a brand-new landmark that will contribute in each of those categories.  In the meantime, this investment means good, family wage jobs, with a ripple effect that will have positive results throughout our community.

“Like the capital budget itself, the effort to secure this funding was a bipartisan effort, and I want to thank my seatmate, Rep. Linda Kochmar, for playing an important role in this victory.”

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Context:  The state House of Representatives, on a 96-2 vote, approved the 2015-17 capital budget Thursday evening.  Also known as the construction budget, the capital budget provides funding for construction and repair of public buildings, and grants or loans money to local governments and nonprofits for infrastructure, housing, and cultural and heritage facilities such as the Federal Way PACC.  It is generally considered a bipartisan budget, because funds are provided predominantly by sales of bonds, rather than taxes.  The Capital Budget Committee’s resources are limited, and competition among projects is fierce.

Committee Chair Hans Dunshee (D-44th, Snohomish) said of Rep. Gregory, who was appointed in January to fill the vacancy created by the death of her predecessor, Rep. Roger Freeman:  “Carol wasn’t prepared to take no for an answer on getting the PACC built. It’s a pleasure working with people who are smart and can put up a compelling argument about why their community project needs to be included in the budget. She got the job done.”