Dear friends and neighbors,
Earlier this week, the House Democrats proposed the new transportation budget for the 2023-25 fiscal biennium, providing a spending authority of $13.6 billion. The budget reflects several new legislative priorities, as well as the need to address the fiscal realities relating to workforce challenges and inflation. Budget funds will be used to implement last year’s historic and transformative, Move Ahead Washington package (almost $17 billion) over a 16-year period, as well as projects from the 2015 Connecting Washington package.
The House-proposed transportation budget also includes:
- Continuation of major highway projects in Whatcom County, including the I-5 Slater Road interchange near Ferndale, the Bell Road Overpass in Blaine, and the Thornton Road Overpass in Ferndale
- Funding for Bradley Road pedestrian improvements in Lynden, the Whatcom Transit Authority and its Smart Trips program, and Lummi Island ferry modernization and preservation
- Reducing carbon emissions as part of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA)
- Improving traffic safety to keep motorists, pedestrians and workers safe on our roadways
- Investing in Washington State Ferries
As Vice Chair of the Transportation Committee, I participated in a press conference on Monday afternoon that provided an updated on various projects included in the budget. Click here to watch the press conference.
In short: Many projects across the state have been delayed several years, and it makes sense to not dismantle these project teams, but to keep the projects on schedule and we have the financial resources to do so. Our ferry system also has a lot of challenges regarding worker recruitment, training, and retention, not to mention the construction of new vessels. This year, the House Democrats and Republicans worked side-by-side while building this budget. The budget passed out of the Transportation Committee yesterday and is expected to be heard on the House floor on Monday.
For a more in-depth look at what was discussed during this week’s press event, click here.
The capital and operating budgets for the state were also released earlier this week.
Video Update
In the video below, I provide a status update on the seven bills I introduced as prime sponsor this session, all of which are now in the Senate, moving through the process. Tune in below.
As a final note before I sign off, this year’s Legislative Session is over in less than a month! Sine die is April 23. You’ll be hearing from me again soon with an update on how this last push went. There’s still a lot to get done!
Best wishes,
