OLYMPIA—Local projects might see delays if Senate Republicans continue to refuse to negotiate a Capital Budget. The House proposed construction projects throughout the state totaling $4.15 billion to build new schools, invest in clean drinking water, salmon recovery programs, expanding and upgrading mental health facilities, and investing in housing programs. Unfortunately, without an agreement from the Senate, projects will not receive funding in the upcoming biennium.
Communities in our district will lose funding for important projects, including:
- $37.8 million for the Edmonds Community College: Science, Engineering, Technology Building
- $504,000 for the Japanese Gulch Creek Restoration Project
- $2.75 million for the Edmonds Waterfront Center & Waterfront Development
- $391,000 for the Frances Anderson Center Roofing Project
- $257,000 for the Mukilteo Tank Farm Remediation
“Washington needs to address the needs of our communities. As our population grows, so do our infrastructure needs. Construction projects need to move forward, not be stuck in the mud. Schools need to be built, environmental impacts need to be mitigated, and investments need to be fulfilled,” said Rep. Strom Peterson (D-Edmonds).
Other critical investments throughout the state include:
- Building K-12 schools for our 1.1 million school children so they don’t spend another year in portable classrooms
- Investing in early learning facilities to help our youngest learners
- Forest fire prevention as we enter the fire season
- Funding for our state colleges and universities
- Funding for our community and technical colleges
- Housing for homelessness and at risk families.
- Investments in Clean Energy, Solar, and Energy Efficiency
The House Capital Budget invests $1.8 billion statewide, creating over 75,000 jobs in construction, engineering, natural resource rehabilitation, and related fields.
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