The biennial construction, repair, and infrastructure funding plan, Senate Bill 5949, appropriates a total of $1.33 billion in funding

The Washington State House of Representatives unanimously approved the state’s 2024-25 supplemental capital budget Wednesday (March 6). The biennial construction, repair, and infrastructure funding plan, Senate Bill 5949, appropriates a total of $1.33 billion in funding.

Reps. Paul Harris and Kevin Waters, who helped secure more than $21 million of funding for the 17th District, were pleased to see that many important projects in their district will be moving forward, including:

• $300,000 for the downtown Camas Lighting Transformation project.
• $300,000 for a Fire Station 41 headquarters.
• $200,000 for the Skamania County Public Safety Radio System.
• $14.3 million for the Washougal Intake replacement project to assist fish and wildlife species.
• $5.3 million for the modernization of small district and tribal compact schools, including $5.2 million for the Stevenson-Carson School District, $37,000 for a planning grant for the district, and $21,000 for a planning grant for the Mill A School District.

The lawmakers also played a role in securing funding for a new youth recovery center in the neighboring 18th Legislative District that will also impact people in their district. The Madrona Recovery Center, which received $16.2 million in funding, will feature 54 new beds for youth with behavioral health and substance abuse disorders.

“All of these projects are going to help our district but I’m especially grateful to see our efforts pay off in getting money for the Madrona Recovery Center,” said Harris, R-Vancouver. “Washington is in the middle of a substance abuse and behavioral health crisis, and we need more facilities like this to get young people the help they need. This recovery center is going to have a huge impact for all Southwest Washington, and quite frankly the entire state.”

Waters, R-Stevenson, expressed his appreciation for the funding, saying: “As a member of the House Capital Budget Committee, I saw firsthand the tremendous effort that went into writing and finalizing this budget. With so many needs throughout the state, I’m grateful to get this funding for our districts, especially for the small schools in the rural areas of our district that desperately need this funding to be able to provide our children with the best education possible.”

The final 2024-25 supplemental capital budget will spend $1.33 billion, with $130.6 million coming from the sale of general obligation bonds. The remaining $1.2 billion is from a combination of Climate Commitment Act accounts, Common School Construction Fund, and other state and federal accounts. It leaves $547,000 in bond capacity.

The budget makes significant investments in K-12 school construction, behavioral health and substance abuse treatment facilities, housing, early learning facilities, infrastructure, and other projects in local communities across the state. Highlights of the 2042-25 supplemental capital budget include:

• $148.8 million for behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, for new community capacity, institutional or state-run capacity, and upgrades and maintenance to existing facilities.
• $183.64 million for housing with maintenance and upgrades for new housing units as well as upgrades to existing units.
• $128.64 million for new housing projects.
• $335.2 million for K-12 school construction, not including reduction in SCAP for projects that did not materialize or move forward.
• $127.86 million for higher education.
• $210.87 million for natural resources.

In addition to the more than $20 million from the capital budget, Waters and Harris were also able to secure more than $1 million for important transportation projects in the district, including $800,000 for Lasher Street renovations and another $250,000 for an update to the Camas Slough.

The budget also includes $600 million for the I-5 bridge replacement project which reflects the additional funding received from the federal government grant. Lastly, there is another $10 million for the Hood River bridge replacement.

“Every one of these projects is important, including the bridges,” added Waters. “I’m especially grateful to get this vital funding for the Hood River bridge which affects people living in the rural areas of our district. I can’t wait to see these projects move forward and the positive impacts that will have in our district.”

“We worked hard for each of these projects, and we are pleased to see them included in the final transportation budget,” concluded Harris. “Obviously, there are too many needs throughout the state to get everything we want, but we appreciate the funding for these projects and know they will play a key factor in improving transportation in our district.”

The 2024 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, March 7.

Information provided by Washington State House Republicans,
houserepublicans.wa.gov