Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The last week of the legislative session is here! Last week was “Opposite House” cutoff, where we focused on passing Senate bills off the House floor. Any bills that had not passed both chambers by last Wednesday are dead for this year. This week we are focusing on reconciling the House and Senate versions of each bill via concurrences and conferences. We are also finalizing the two-year operating, capital, and transportation budgets. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn “Sine Die” (Latin: without a day) on Sunday concluding the 2023 legislative session. Read on to learn about some of the projects included in the House transportation and capital budgets that are important to our district.
Take me out to the ball game
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity of a lifetime to throw out the first pitch at the Tacoma Rainiers home opener. Generations of Tacomans have spent their summers watching the Rainiers. Time spent with family and friends at Cheney Stadium is an indelible legacy in the City of Destiny. It helps bind our community together and creates a sense of shared identity.
I am happy to announce that the House and Senate capital budgets include funding for upgrades at Cheney Stadium as well as other minor league ballparks across the state. This will help preserve and protect one of Central Tacoma’s crown jewels. With the Rainiers off to a smashing start, we can all look forward to another season of fun and memories at R House.
Capital Budget Investments
The capital budget is the state’s construction budget. It leverages the power of our state government to sell bonds and helps build projects across the state. Here are some of the projects that are getting funded in the 29th district.
Next Chapter Shelter
Next Chapter is a Pierce County based shelter for pregnant women, single mothers, and children experiencing homelessness. They provide a place to stay as well as education, opportunities, and tools to help people achieve permanent housing. The capital housing budget includes funding for Next Chapter to expand and build a new shelter in Parkland.
Eloise’s Pot Foodbank
Eloise’s Pot Foodbank has been feeding the Tacoma area for over a decade. They have one of the largest home delivery programs in Pierce County serving over 17,000 people annually. Funding is provided for them to remodel their facilities, allowing them to get food to more of our neighbors.
Bates Technical College Fire Service Training Facility
Bates Technical College has a program for those interested in pursuing a career in fire service. Fully accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, this program helps train the next generation of fire fighters who keep us safe. Importantly, the program includes wildland fire training. The capital budget includes funding for a new 54,500 foot Fire Services program training facility at Bates’ South Tacoma campus.
Wards Lake Park
Wards Lake Park is a beautiful natural area in Northwest Lakewood. The city is planning improvements that include a dog park, a walking loop around the lake, a new bridge, and a BMX ‘pump track.’ One of Lakewood’s five parks, these improvements will help activate the space and create a greenspace for people to enjoy for generations.
Stewart Heights Skate Park
Stewart Heights has been a staple of South Tacoma for generations. With its large public pool, playground, and playfields, children and adults can get outside and enjoy the outdoors. This year’s budget includes money to upgrade the skate park at Stewart Heights.
Transportation Investments
State Route 167
While not technically in the district, the House Transportation Budget includes funding to complete the Puget Sound Gateway Project. This project completes critical missing links in the highway network in the Puget Sound. In Pierce County it will connect the Port of Tacoma with Highway 167, providing a vital highway link between Tacoma and Puyallup.
Pacific Avenue Bus Rapid Transit
Pacific Avenue is a busy and important transit corridor that runs through the heart of the 29th District. This year’s transportation budget includes funding for Pierce Transit to begin construction on a bus rapid transit line running from Tacoma to Spanaway. This will increase connectivity in the 29th, ease traffic on Pacific Ave, and provide a new public resource for getting around.
Thank you for reading my newsletter. Hearing from you is the most important part of my job. Please do not hesitate to reach out with your thoughts and ideas.
Sincerely,
Sharlett Mena
State Representative
29th District