Legislature passes capital budget - local construction projects for schools and surface water can move forward

For the first time in decades, the Legislature failed to pass a biennial capital budget in 2017 after Republicans tied it to an unrelated issue of water rights.

But after less than two weeks of Democrats’ control of both the House and Senate, lawmakers were able to move the vital budget forward.

And they were able to negotiate the Hirst water rights issue that stalemated the last session.

The capital budget pays for buying, constructing and repairing infrastructure projects including schools, parks, community centers, clean air and water systems, corrections facilities, hospitals, clinics, housing and higher education facilities, among others.

46th District - Lake Forest Park, Kenmore, NE Seattle

Rep. Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle) and Rep. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle) lauded the much-delayed passage of the capital budget today in Olympia.

“Our children’s education and health along with the environment in the 46th District will benefit for many years to come from our finally being able to pass a state capital budget today,” said Rep. Pollet.

Thursday evening, the House of Representatives passed the $4.18 billion-investment capital budget on a 95-1 vote.

“I’m glad we have come together to create jobs, get projects started, and make our district an even more prosperous place to live,” said Rep. Valdez.

The 46th District Delegation, which includes Senator Frockt who now chairs the capital budget process for the Senate, has worked for the past two years to ensure that the capital budget would include a major investment in school funding to reduce overcrowded schools in the 46th and throughout Seattle.

Construction projects in the 46th Legislative District include:

Department of Commerce

• 2017-19 Building Communities Fund Grant – Mercy House Magnuson Historic Building 9 $1,000,000
• 2018 Local and Community Projects – Kenmore Boathouse $250,000
• 2018 Local and Community Projects – SR 104 Fish Barrier Removal $1,200,000
• 2018 Local and Community Projects – Magnuson Community Center Renovation $2,000,000
• 2018 Local and Community Projects – Moorlands Community Center Renovation $250,000
• 2018 Local and Community Projects – University YMCA $600,000

Public Works Assistance Account Construction Loans $1,500,000

State Parks and Recreation Commission

• St. Edward State Park Environmental Learning Center $75,000

Recreation and Conservation Funding Board

• 2017-19 WWRP Grants – St Edward Ball Fields $500,000

State Conservation Commission

• Improve Shellfish Growing Areas 2017-19 $4,000,000
• Match for Federal RCPP Program 2017-19 $2,000,000
• Natural Resource Investment for the Economy and Environment 2017-19 $5,000,000

Community and Technical College System

• Repairs, Maintenance, and Minor Works at Seattle Colleges $1,774,000

Total 46th Legislative District $20,149,000

32nd District - portions of the cities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, North Seattle, all of Shoreline and Woodway, and certain unincorporated areas in Snohomish County.

In the 32nd district, Sen. Maralyn Chase, D-Edmonds, jointed senators from both sides of the aisle in passing the measure.

“Passing a capital budget is a great thing for the 32nd District, and for Washington as a whole,” Chase said. “Our residents deserve better schools, more mental health funding and funding to alleviate homelessness. This capital budget includes all of those things.”

The budget will fund the largest-ever investment in K-12 school construction — about $1 billion. About $861 million will go to higher education projects. About $106 million will go to the Housing Trust Fund, the second highest such investment in state history.

More than $65 million will go to community mental health beds, and about $20 million will go to both Eastern and Western state hospitals for patient safety enhancements and renovations.

About $15 million in the capital budget will fund a dramatic expansion in dental care, benefitting people who previously couldn’t afford treatment.

In Edmonds, the Edmonds Waterfront Center project will receive about $2 million.

In Chase’s own 32nd district, the following projects are funded:

• $37.8 million for the Science, Engineering and Technology building at Edmonds Community College
• $3.5 million for Allied Health, Science and Manufacturing for Shoreline Community College
• $2.5 million for an addition to a newborn screening wing
• $2.2 million for the South Snohomish County Community Resource Center in Lynnwood
• $605,000 to increase dental clinic capacity at International Community Health Services in Shoreline

Updated 1-19-18 specifying Shoreline Community College as recipient of funds.