This week marked a major milestone as the Senate approved updates to the state’s operating, capital, and transportation budgets. I am pleased to report that the capital and transportation budgets passed with unanimous support. These budgets provide critical investments for our infrastructure and communities, including securing the necessary funding for the SR 3 / Belfair Freight Corridor (Belfair Bypass). This project is a perfect example of what can be achieved when we focus on the core priorities of our district.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the supplemental operating budget. Democrats pushed through an irresponsible $80 billion proposal without a single Republican vote. While our state faces real affordability challenges, this budget doubles down on unsustainable spending. I’ve included a deeper dive into the numbers below so you can see exactly why my colleagues and I could not support it.