WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Moving Spokane Forward

April 14, 2017

Transportation and capital budgets pass House

Spokane Transit artistic rendering of the Central City LineTransportation: Moving Spokane forward

This week, the House voted to pass a two-year transportation budget for our state. I’m pleased to report that after weeks of hard work and negotiation, the package passed on a bipartisan basis. It includes $125 million for projects right here in our community.

The 2017-19 transportation budget stays true to the promises we made in previous budgets, it finishes what we’ve started, and it looks for opportunities to innovate. The range of projects will help move our community forward and create good-paying jobs. Here are some of the projects funded:

 

  • Spokane Central City Line connection of U-District to Browne’s Addition ($6 million)
  • U-District Gateway Pedestrian Bridge ($8.5 million)
  • Continued progress on the North Spokane Corridor ($75.1 million)
  • Monroe-Regal High Performance Transit Corridor ($3.9 million)
  • Spokane Falls Community College Transit Station ($2.1 million)
  • Riverfront Park Triangle Truss Bridge replacement ($300,000)

The next step is to negotiate with the Senate and find common ground that will continue to support Spokane’s growing community.

 

Capital budget: Spokane highlights

The capital budget is the state construction budget. It funds construction and renovation of schools and public buildings, as well as provides construction and renovation grants to local governments and non-profit organizations.

The House passed the 2017-19 capital budget this week as well. Funding is included in that budget for:

  • The East Central Community Center
  • The YWCA Family Justice Center
  • Emmanuel Life Center (kitchen)
  • Eastern Washington University (Science Center)
  • Spokane Falls Community College (Fine and Applied Arts replacement)
  • Spokane Community College (Main Building South Wing renovation)

Additionally, I’m particularly excited about the investments this budget makes in expanding dental access to more Washingtonians. Spokane will directly benefit from these investments:

  • A dental residency program that will provide treatment to 12,000 patients a year in our community – a majority of them Medicaid-eligible.
  • Dental clinic at Providence Sacred Heart’s campus (6 chairs)
  • New community dental clinic near Holy Family (20 chairs)

Good overall health begins with good dental health. But for too many people in our community, accessing dental care has been too costly or difficult. This budget will bring this care to those who need it most.

Thank you, Olivia!

Last week, I welcomed a temporary member to our Olympia team: Olivia Tobey, a freshman from Shadle Park High School, who joined us at the Capitol to work as a page. Students between the ages of 14-16 can apply to the page program with a legislative sponsor. During their week in Olympia, pages assist with the Legislature’s work by making deliveries, performing other necessary tasks, and, as Olivia can tell you, climbing many stairs. Pages spend part of each day attending Page School, learning about the Legislature’s role in our state government. They also are paid – $35 for each day worked.

Olivia, it was an honor to have you serve as a page. Thank you for your hard work and your commitment to your civic education.

Click here for more information about the page program, and to get an application. I am always happy to sponsor Spokane students. This is your state capital too!

 

Best Regards,

Riccelli signature

 

 

 

 

Representative Marcus Riccelli
3rd Legislative District – Spokane