Abbarno helps direct millions of dollars to local projects in proposed House capital budget

The 20th Legislative District would see more than $76.3 million for projects under the proposed 2023-25 House capital budget released Monday, said Rep. Peter Abbarno, who serves as assistant ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee.

The House capital budget must still be reconciled with the Senate capital budget and signed by the governor.

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.

“Unlike many other fiscal budgets, the state capital budget is based on community solutions,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia. “Many of the projects start with community-based individuals, organizations, and local governments identifying solutions for problems and then partnering with the state and my office to assist.”

General obligation bonds would finance $4.18 billion of the $8.38 billion proposed budget.

Significant investments went into statewide priorities, including:

  • $893 million for behavioral health construction, including a 136-bed facility at Maple Lane in Rochester for civil conversion patients;
  • $847 million for K-12 public school construction;
  • $704 million for affordable housing, home upgrades, and utility connection grants;
  • $710 million for infrastructure through the Public Works Board, Community Economic Revitalization Board and Broadband; and
  • $653 million for fish barrier removal, riparian restoration, and Floodplains by Design.

“The capital budget is a great way to bring back some of the hard-earned money our district sends to Olympia and invest it into our communities,” said Abbarno. “These proposed investments would provide jobs, help the local economy, and improve the quality of life.”

Within the House proposal, the 20th Legislative District could receive a wide range of projects, including:

  • A portion of the $73 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, 24, and 22;
  • $3.345 million for critical habitat in the South Sound, including Floodplains by Design projects in Ridgefield;
  • $3.05 million for a new emergency medical services and fire station in South Thurston County;
  • $3 million for Dig-Once coordinated projects on Reynolds Rd/Harrison Ave. in Centralia;
  • $2.48 million for the Centralia Quad Infield Turf Project;
  • $482,000 for the restoration of Centralia Historic Fox Theater;
  • $450,000 for Ridgefield Outdoor Recreational Complex;
  • $350,000 for the Scott Hill Park and Sports Complex of Woodland;
  • $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.

While the enacted budget may look different from the original proposal, Abbarno is hopeful many of the local projects will remain in the final bill.

“As the assistant ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee, I have the opportunity to work with statewide and community organizations to help deliver important projects and help fund priorities,” said Abbarno. “As we move through the legislative process, I’ll continue working hard to ensure our region receives the funds it needs to thrive.”

A public hearing will be held on the budget proposal on Tuesday, March 28, at 8:00 a.m. in the House Capital Budget Committee.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov