OLYMPIA—The chair of the House Capital Budget Committee released a proposed state construction budget with $4.6 billion in new bond spending that creates thousands of jobs and funds construction projects from Aberdeen to Zillah.
“This is a robust budget that invests in the future of Washington state,” said Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Port Townsend), chair of the House Capital Budget Committee. “It puts more than $1 billion toward public school construction, both in small schools and larger districts. There’s also $723 million for affordable housing, $470 million for behavioral health facilities, and significant funding for early learning centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and community centers.”
Tharinger said the budget is traditionally bipartisan, with Democrats and Republicans from around the state helping to write a budget that funds projects funded in every corner of Washington.
“Working together is the smart thing to do, and the right thing to do,” Tharinger said. “Nobody has all the answers, and the infrastructure we fund in this budget is like the foundation of your house—it has to be strong all the way around, with no holes or gaps. That’s why all 49 legislative districts have projects in this budget.”
Tharinger noted that this budget puts aside more money than usual for reserves, which is due to the uncertainty and chaos coming from Washington, D.C. and tariffs driving up the price of materials.
Here’s a quick overview of what the House proposal would do:
- Affordable housing—$723 million
- K-12 education—more than $1 billion in total investments, including a focus on helping small school districts
- Child care—$92 million
- Behavioral health—$470 million to increase capacity in state-operated and community-based facilities
- Keeps $388 million in reserves for unforeseen costs and events
The budget will have a public hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1.
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