Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a statewide supplemental capital budget that invests in communities and creates jobs. John Sattgast reports.
The bipartisan supplemental construction budget proposes to spend more than one-point-five-billion dollars across Washington state.
It provides 140-million-dollars for schools, including replacement of the Almira elementary/middle school, which was destroyed by fire in October. More than 440-million dollars will be spent on housing. And 100-million dollars will go for statewide broadband infrastructure grants.
Chelan Representative Mike Steele is the ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee:
“This really is the economic development engine for Washington state. And the thing that really makes this budget work is the fact that we do look across Washington, and we say, ‘We want to make this budget geographically diverse. We want every little community in Washington state to have an opportunity to put their communities to work, to create opportunity for their kids, to make sure their kids are learning in safe environments.”
The supplemental capital spending plan is expected to easily gain Senate approval before the Legislature adjourns Thursday, and then it goes on to the governor for his signature.