WA lawmakers reveal “basic needs” bipartisan capital budget proposal

OLYMPAI — Washington State Sen. announced a capital budget proposal on Monday, telling the state’s budget crunch that it is truly bipartisan effort and its work as a “bright place.”

The House and Senate propose to spend $7.6 billion and $7.3 billion, respectively. The budget says that “basic needs” of Washingtonians will be prioritized by funding critical construction and infrastructure projects over the next two years.

The proposal secures $1 billion for education, more than $720 million for housing, $2 billion for behavioral health, and $2 billion for natural resources. The Senate’s plan relies on $391 million from the Climate Commitment Act, and the House version of $299 million.

Lawmakers will negotiate the final capital budget before the legislative meeting ends on April 27th. Before they can be adjacent, lawmakers must pass the operating budget. This is expected to increase the contrast between the House and Senate Democrats suggest spending and saving over the next two years.

Sen. D. Tacoma Yasmin Trudeau, vice-chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, said in a news release Monday that several “bedrock principles” are in mind as Senate leaders have led to a capital proposal decision.

“This budget was hoping to meet the basic needs of Washingtonians in all parts of our great state and meet the state’s most critical infrastructure needs,” Trudeau said. “I think this budget is achieving that mission.”

House Republicans agreed to a bipartisan drafting the budget.

“This budget is a product of months of careful collaboration and a focus on people,” said Rep. Mike Steele of R-Chelan, who ranks Republicans on the House Capital Budget Committee. “When other state budgets face pressure and shortages, capital budgets stand out as bright places. It supports our shared bipartisan priorities and does not rely heavily on the General Fund.”

The Senate capital proposal includes $4.5 billion in new debt-limited bond expenditures, as well as the House and general debt of $4.6 billion. Bond sales primarily fund capital budgets, unlike operating budgets, which rely heavily on revenues in general fund states. Capital budgets are paid for the acquisition and maintenance of state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public land, parks and other assets.

Some of the key investments in the House and Senate capital budgets include:

education

Both capital budgets propose major investments in the K-12 capital construction project.

Under the Senate proposal, the K-12 education project will exceed $1 billion, It includes approximately $563 million in the School Construction Assistance Program to help the district implement major new construction or modernization projects.

The proposal includes more than $220 million for the modernization of compact schools for elementary school students and tribals, and $143 million for the school’s earthquake safety grant program.

The House proposal includes $1.1 billion for the K-12 project. That money includes $563 million in the school construction program, about $250 million for modernization in small and tribal compact schools, and $151 in the earthquake safety program.

Housing and homelessness

Major spending on housing and homelessness has also been proposed by the House and Senate.

In the Senate, lawmakers are proposing just over $770 million for housing and homeless projects, including $600 million in the Housing Trust Fund, the state’s leading source of funding for affordable housing.

Last year’s state report predicts Washington will need more than 1 million new homes at various income levels over the next 20 years to meet the needs of its residents. State lawmakers have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into housing trust funds over the past two years of capital budgets, but each year, more affordable housing projects apply money beyond the available funds.

The senator has also proposed nearly $10 million for veterans facilities and more than $160 million for other housing programs.

House members suggest just over $723 million in housing and homeless spending, including $100 million for permanent supportive housing projects. They also propose $100 million for utility connectivity in affordable housing, $10 million for first-time low-income home buyers, and $10 million for youth shelters and housing.

Behavioral health

Both proposals designate the majority of behavioral health funds ($282 million) for the continued renewal of Western State Hospital, including the forensic hospital building.

The new $947 million facility, a key part of former Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to revive the state’s mental health system, is set to open in 2028 with 350 beds.

The Senate’s $455 million plan includes $131 million in behavioural health capacity grants and $33 million for obligations under the state’s “Trueblood” court settlement. Washington was fined $100 million in 2023 for failing to provide appropriate mental health services to individuals with severe mental illnesses in state prisons.

The $472 million plan from the House of Representatives includes $133 million in capacity subsidies and $22 million in Maple Lane near Centralia, continuing to add space to the mental health system of patients sent to treatment through the civil court system.

Natural Resources

The majority of both budgets are reserved for the state’s natural resources.

Under the Senate proposal, roughly $2.3 billion has been set aside for the project, with nearly $892 million heading towards toxic cleaning and prevention. Other projects to consider funding include around $211 million for salmon recovery, about $205 million for outdoor recreation and conservation projects, and about $141 million for habitat recovery.

The Senate capital budget also includes a proposal to pay a dark vert alternative to fish through a new account, shifting funds from the transport budget.

House lawmakers have proposed around $2.2 billion for projects such as $120 million. Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program. Additionally, the proposal includes $70 million. Chehalis Basin Strategy And almost $60 million Flood Abundance Designed “A program that works to reduce the risk of flooding, restore habitat, improve water quality, support agriculture and enhance recreation along the rivers of Washington. Other funding includes $49 million. Yakima River Basin Water Supply Programand $36 million for the development of water supply for the Columbia River.