Record spending continued in the nearly $72 billon dollar supplemental operating budget the legislature passed this year. The good news is the two-year spending plan does not include any new taxes. Unfortunately, it also does not include any real relief for middle-income families who are struggling.

Under Democratic leadership, state spending has doubled over the past decade, all while Washingtonians face an increasing number of crises, including affordability, housing, education, childcare, public safety, and the fentanyl emergency, with little to no progress in sight.

On top of over $2 billion in additional spending, this budget leaves just $2.1 billion in reserves at the end of the four-year outlook period, well under the recommended 10%.

Capital construction and transportation budget wins in the 35th

The Washington State Legislature passed this year’s supplemental capital, operating, and transportation budgets in early March.
We worked collaboratively to secure over $16 million in the supplemental capital budget for local projects, nearly $2 million in the operating budget, and $60 million in transportation budget appropriations.

The millions secured in this capital budget will significantly benefit the district.

The largest appropriations included in the capital budget were $4.851 million in public school funding for modernizing the Pioneer School District, $4.8 million in local and community projects funding for the Bremerton/Mason County Sewer Expansion and the Mason PUD No. 1, Lilliwaup Corner Project, and $1.5 million in housing trust funds for the Boulevard Townhomes Project.

The supplemental transportation budget included $2 million to start the Highway 101 safety jersey barrier project between Wallace Kneeland Blvd and the SR3 interchange. The transportation funding obtained ensures continued progress on the SR3 freight corridor project, SR3/Gorst Road widening, pedestrian improvements for the Warren Avenue bridge, and projects for Intercity Transit.