Saturday, June 29, marked the end of the 2013 Legislative Session. While it wasn’t historically the longest session on record, the six month slog was very close.
The weeks were even longer for some legislators like Rep. Drew MacEwen. MacEwen, the assistant ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, spent many hours in Olympia after most other legislators had called it a day. However, the freshmen legislator has no complaints.
“It was worth staying in Olympia until the sun came up in order to reach this capital budget agreement. The 35th District has finally received an overdue investment that was overlooked in previous years,” said MacEwen, R-Union. “I am pleased to have been a part of negotiating this capital budget. It makes tremendous investments in our state such as the Yakima Water Basin, continued clean up of Puget Sound, and key investments in the 35th District.”
Key projects that will benefit the 35th District include:
- City of Shelton wastewater treatment plant: $1.5 million
- Mason County Transit and Community Center: $800,000
- Safe Harbor, an enterprise to strengthen youth and families: $100,000
- Belfair Senior Center: $500,000
- Skokomish River floodplain restoration and management: $1.38 million
- Boys and Girls Club of South Puget Sound: $800,000
- Deschutes River hatcheries: $7.3 million
“Other beneficial parts of the capital budget will directly help residential and commercial development in Shelton,” said MacEwen.”I fought for critical investment dollars for our area to increase the quality of life for the people back home. I am proud of the results.”
The capital budget is scheduled to be signed into law by Gov. Inslee today, July 1, at 1:30 p.m.