The Washington state House of Representatives on Monday, March 31, announced $7.63 billion in spending as part of its bipartisan 2025-27 capital budget proposal.
The spending would go toward capital projects related to K-12 school construction, infrastructure, behavioral health, affordable housing and economic development.
The House Capital Budget Committee, including assistant ranking member state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, will now meet with the Senate Ways and Means Committee for the last four weeks of the legislative session to reconcile the two houses' budget proposals.
"This proposed budget is the product of bipartisan work and a commitment to building stronger communities across Washington," Abbarno said. "We propose making responsible investments in education, housing, public safety, behavioral health and infrastructure while ensuring accountability and long-term benefits for the taxpayers."
The proposal includes $70 million for the Chehalis Basin Strategy, which coordinates projects to mitigate flooding and restore aquatic habitat in the Chehalis River Basin, along with $59.6 million for Floodplains by Design and $105 million for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board grant program.
Also in the proposal is more than $32 million in funding for capital projects exclusively within Southwest Washington's 20th Legislative District, including almost $14 million for school construction and $4.5 million toward security improvements at Green Hill School in Chehalis.
The school construction grants include $6 million for the Green Mountain School District, $5 million for the Morton School District, $1.827 million for the Onalaska School District and $1.075 million for the Mossyrock School District.
Other 20th District capital project funding includes $5 million toward nitrate mitigation infrastructure in the City of Centralia, $1.092 million for field lights at Fort Borst Park, $767,000 for improvements to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds and $525,000 for Cascade Community Health and the United Learning Center.
Much of the budget’s funding will also go to grant programs and funds that will be available to communities across the state. As part of the bills focus on K-12 education, there is $563 million for the School Construction Assistance Program, nearly $250 million for the Small District and Tribal Compact Schools Modernization Program and $151.4 million for the School Seismic Safety Grant Program.
Other big sums include $598 million for the state's Housing Trust Fund and $400 million for the Public Works Board.
"This proposed budget is about strengthening our communities and ensuring they have the resources needed to grow and thrive," Abbarno added. "While the final version may change as we negotiate with the Senate, I am committed to delivering results that support our local schools, public safety, and infrastructure."
