You are invited to our mobile office!
Join me on Thursday, July 25 from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. for a chance to speak one-on-one with your 3rd District state legislators. Alongside Rep. Ormsby and Sen. Billig.
I will be at the Spokane Public Library Downtown Branch (906 West Main Avenue), to meet with constituents. It’s a chance to speak with us about the issues that are important to you. We hope to see you there!
You can learn more and RSVP for our mobile office by visiting the official Facebook event page.
Transportation update: Moving Spokane forward
Washington has three budgets: The operating budget pays the bills that “keep the lights on,” while our capital budget funds construction projects. Then there’s our state transportation budget.
Keeping our roads in good working order is important to almost every facet of our daily lives. Highways, bridges and materials expand our employment opportunities, reduce the time it takes to get to emergency care during a crisis, and allow for goods to be imported and exported with ease. Whether our goal is a healthier state, a stronger economy, or just getting home to see loved ones more quickly, the solution often means funding transportation projects.
As a member of the House Transportation Committee and a lifelong Spokanite, ensuring projects in Spokane get the transportation dollars they need is always a top priority. I was proud to help pass our state’s $9.8 billion transportation budget for 2019-2021, and to bring $200 million of those dollars to our district. Here are some of the projects funded:
U-District Gateway Pedestrian Bridge ($400k)
Connecting the university district with the Sprague corridor via pedestrian bridge benefits local businesses and promotes healthier modes of travel. At a time when we’re seeing high rates of heart disease and diabetes nationwide, the U-District Bridge incentivizes walking and biking to your destination by offering a quick shortcut. This landmark not only improves the Spokane skyline, but also improves our quality of life.
US 395 – The North Spokane Corridor ($164 million)
This project offers a safer, quicker, and less congested north-south route that connects to I-90. The need for a big infrastructure change like the addition of the North Spokane Corridor was apparent, and with 5.5 miles already complete, we are making great headway. The investment made this budget cycle is substantial, and will even pay for itself in reduced travel time and collisions.
Click here to read about my work to name US 395 “The Thomas Stephen ‘Tom’ Foley Memorial Highway.”
Central City Line ($11.4 million)
The Central City Line will run from Spokane Community College to Coeur d’Alene Park past Browne’s Addition. The Central City Line is a high performance public transit system.
With climate change posing an increasing threat, a quality public transportation system helps reduce our carbon footprint while getting people where they need to go quickly and efficiently. The Central City Line offers streamlined access to Spokane Community College, the U-district, downtown, several parks and more.
Reducing traffic congestion, increasing foot traffic, and providing easy access to local shopping and education has positive health, economic and environmental outcomes for Spokane.
It is an honor to serve you. Please do not hesitate to email me if you have questions, feedback, or concerns.
Best regards,
