20th District to see millions for local projects in House-approved capital budget
CONTACT: John Handy, Communications Director for Rep. Ed Orcutt | 360-786-5758
Daniel McDonald, Public Information Officer for Rep. Peter Abbarno | 360-786-7182
20th District to see millions for local projects in House-approved capital budget
The 20th Legislative District will see more than $133 million for local projects under the compromise 2023-25 capital budget passed Friday by the state House.
The state capital budget, also known as the “construction budget,” appropriates money for statewide construction and repair of public buildings, and for other investments, such as land acquisitions and transfers, infrastructure, broadband, parks, and cultural and heritage facilities.
The $8.98 billion budget makes significant investments statewide, including:
- $884 million for behavioral health construction, including a 136-bed facility at Maple Lane in Rochester for civil conversion patients;
- $872 million for K-12 public school construction;
- $694 million for affordable housing, home upgrades, and utility connection grants;
- $764.5 million for infrastructure through the Public Works Board, Community Economic Revitalization Board and Broadband; and
- $870.4 million for fish barrier removal, riparian restoration, and Floodplains by Design.
“The best thing about the capital budget is that it's a grassroots community budget based on the priorities of our communities,” said Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, who serves as assistant ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee. “Many of the projects begin with individuals and organizations in the district identifying needs and solutions, and then partnering with our office and the state to assist. I am very proud of our local and state investments.”
“I am pleased we were able to get funding for many important projects throughout the district and region,” said Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama. “They help our schools, cities, counties, and youth athletics to provide critical services without raising taxes to provide these facilities or projects.”
Within the plan, the 20th Legislative District will receive a wide range of projects, including:
- A portion of the $70 million appropriated for the Office of Chehalis Basin to administer floodplain risk reduction and habitat restoration projects in the Chehalis River Basin, which spans districts 19, 20, 22, and 24;
- $3.345 million for critical habitat in the South Sound;
- $3.05 million for a new emergency medical services and fire station in South Thurston County;
- $2.48 million for the Centralia Quad Infield Turf Project;
- $2 million for double culvert replacement in Castle Rock;
- $1.25 million for the SW Washington Agriculture Business Center in Tenino;
- $450,000 for the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreational Complex;
- $500,000 for Dig-Once coordinated projects on Reynolds Rd./Harrison Ave. in Centralia;
- $500,000 for the Lewis County Senior Center in Chehalis;
- $482,000 for the restoration of Centralia Historic Fox Theater;
- $350,000 for the Scott Hill Park and Sports Complex of Woodland;
- $250,000 for athletic field lights at Ridgefield Outdoor Recreational Complex;
- $217,000 for Fire Mountain Arts Council in Morton;
- $160,000 for Tenino Stone Carvers Guild workshop and classroom;
- $100,000 for United Learning Center in Centralia; and
- $53,000 for Toledo City Hall structural assessment.
“I appreciate all the hard work that my colleagues, staff, and members of our community put into this bipartisan budget,” added Abbarno. “These investments will pay dividends for years to come by helping improve our economic opportunities and quality of life in Southwest Washington.”
