OLYMPIA – In this year’s proposed House Capital, Transportation, and Operating budgets, include investments in early education, affordable housing, flood mitigation, and housing assistance.
The budget includes a dike northwest of Stanwood to prevent flooding in Stanwood and submerging the road to Camano Island. The House Capital Budget invests $1.9 million to this project which will be matched by $1.75 million from Snohomish County. These allocations were requested by Representative Clyde Shavers, D-Oak Harbor, and Snohomish Councilmember Nate Nehring,
Other proposed House Capital Budget investments include $13.6 million for Crescent Harbor Elementary School and $13.9 million for Oak Harbor School District’s Hand-in-Hand Early Learning Center which leverages nearly $45 million of federal funds.
“I truly appreciate the work Oak Harbor Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula has done to create a wonderful learning environment for our littlest learners,” said Shavers. “Fully supporting early care and learning is a priority for me. Rep. Paul and education leaders in our community worked hard to secure this critical investment which will benefit the children of our military families. I am proud to have supported this policy in both committees and am glad this investment is part of the capital budget.”
Other projects include affordable workforce housing at the Coupeville Food Bank and a commercial kitchen facility in Arlington.
The proposed House Operating Budget includes funds for homeless services at the Skagit First Step Center, pay increases for home-care providers and employees serving individuals with developmental disabilities, and veteran service officers in Island County.
“First Step Center is Skagit County’s only low-barrier shelter, and we’re making sure that First Step can continue to serve our communities,” said Shavers. “Our state ranks first in employment outcomes for people with developmental disabilities, and we’re fighting to ensure living wages for providers serving our community.”
The House Capital Budget, Transportation, and Appropriations committees are holding meetings to finalize the budget before negotiations with the Senate.
Shavers is a member of the Capital Budget Committee.