Reps. Peter Abbarno and Ed Orcutt highlight key Southwest Washington investments in bipartisan capital budget

Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, House Republican Caucus Chair and assistant ranking member on the House Capital Budget Committee, and Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama, announced that the House passed a bipartisan 2025-27 Capital Budget that delivers more than $81 million in critical local investments for communities across the 20th Legislative District.

The $7.6 billion capital budget funds construction and repair projects across Washington state, including new schools, behavioral health facilities, clean water infrastructure, affordable housing, parks, and public safety improvements. Roughly $4.5 billion of the budget is supported by newly authorized general obligation bonds, with the remainder funded through dedicated accounts, federal dollars, and alternative financing sources.

Unlike the state’s operating and transportation budgets, which rely heavily on general fund and transportation-related revenues and taxes, the capital budget is primarily supported through bond sales and dedicated accounts.

Passing the bond bill traditionally requires strong bipartisan cooperation, with a three-fifths majority vote needed in both chambers. This year, Democrats held enough seats to pass the bond bill without Republican support. Still, House Republicans remained fully engaged throughout the process to prioritize investments in schools, housing, clean water, and critical infrastructure, ensuring the budget focused on real community needs, encouraged responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and avoided excessive spending on controversial projects.

“This budget reflects what happens when legislators put people ahead of politics,” said Abbarno. “We secured vital investments that strengthen our communities, create opportunity, and improve quality of life across Southwest Washington. From safe drinking water projects and flood protection to youth athletic facilities and historic preservation, these projects will have a lasting impact on future generations.”

Orcutt emphasized the wide-ranging benefits for communities throughout the district.

“I am very pleased with the wide variety and broad distribution of projects that we secured throughout the district, and for a variety of purposes,” Orcutt added. “Many of these are critically important investments, especially in our smaller communities, providing for air and water quality, fish and wildlife habitat protection, outdoor recreation, and infrastructure needs.”

The 20th District projects funded in the final 2025-27 Capital Budget reflect those priorities and include investments across infrastructure, community facilities, recreation, historic preservation, and environmental restoration:

  • $75 million for the Chehalis Basin Strategy in Chehalis Basin, which spans the 19th, 20th, 24th, and 35th legislative districts.
  • $5 million for the City of Centralia Nitrates Project to improve drinking water safety.
  • $2 million for the Port of Chehalis Hydrogen Fueling Station and Production Facility.
  • $1.75 million for the Chehalis River Raw Water Main Replacement Project.
  • $1.545 million for slope stabilization and slide alleviation along Pioneer Street in Ridgefield.
  • $1.092 million for Borst Park Ball Field Lights in Centralia.
  • $803,000 for Battle Ground Lake Equestrian Parking Lot improvements.
  • $767,000 for upgrades to the Southwest Washington Fairgrounds 4-H Barn in Centralia
  • $752,000 for Rose Way Extension and Industrial Infrastructure in Woodland
  • $541,000 for a Cascade Community Health behavioral health facility in the United Learning Center in Centralia.
  • $521,000 for the development of Austin Point Water Recreation Park in Woodland
  • $400,000 for La Center Downtown 2.0 infrastructure improvements.
  • $318,000 for the Holcomb – Little Kalama River Tributary fish passage project.
  • $318,000 for Lengle – Sand Creek fish passage project.
  • $217,000 for the Cambodian Cultural Hall/Sala Thormaksaphea through the Building for the Arts grant program in Clark County
  • $152,000 for Southwest Washington Dance Center facility improvements in Chehalis
  • $150,000 for Lewis County Courthouse restoration and preservation efforts in Chehalis.
  • $145,000 to restore Chehalis’s historic Porter No. 5 Steam Engine.
  • $80,000 for Mossyrock Grange preservation.
  • $50,000 for Chehalis Recreation Park improvements.
  • $45,000 for Scott Hill Park and Sports Complex improvements in Woodland.

“This budget isn’t just about buildings or numbers on a spreadsheet — it’s about investing in the future of our families, workers, and communities,” Abbarno concluded. “I’m proud of our work to bring these important projects home to the 20th District.”

The 2025 legislative session will conclude on April 27.

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Washington State House Republican Communications
houserepublicans.wa.gov