Kagi and Ryu: $4 billion construction budget means jobs and opportunity

OLYMPIA—Reps. Ruth Kagi (D-Seattle) and Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) said the passage of the state’s construction budget will create tens of thousands of jobs to build schools, colleges, affordable housing and mental health facilities.

“Our state’s population is booming along with the economy, and we have to build to keep up with growing needs for housing, education, and community services ,” Kagi said. “We finally broke through gridlock to pass the construction budget and move our state forward. This budget means tens of thousands of jobs and more opportunity for students in our public schools and colleges.”

The budget – Senate Bill 6091 – passed the House 95-1 and the Senate 49-0.

“Democrats in the House and Senate pushed hard for a record $1 billion to build new public schools,” Ryu said. “We also fought for a historic level of funding—more than $800 million—in new construction at our public colleges and universities. Those are two big reasons why this construction budget is a victory for education, which is now our economy’s main engine.”

Here are some highlights of the $69 million in projects in the 32nd District:

  • $37.757 million for Edmonds Community College’s Science, Engineering, Technology Building
  • $3.546 million for Shoreline Community College’s Allied Health, Science & Manufacturing Replacement
  • $6 million for repairs, maintenance, and minor works at Edmonds and Shoreline Community Colleges
  • $2.2 million for the South Snohomish Community Resource Center
  • $605,000 for dental clinic in Shoreline
  • $200,000 for McKinnon Creek
  • $925,000 for Fircrest School
  • $2.5 million for a newborn screening facility
  • $8.77 million for Madrona School replacement
  • $5.17 million for Lynnwood Elementary replacement