Wagoner advocates for local investments in Senate capital-budget proposal

March 20, 2023

More than $31 million included for 39th District priorities

The bipartisan $7.9 billion capital construction budget proposal released today in the Senate includes major investments requested by Sen. Keith Wagoner, R-Sedro-Woolley, for local agricultural, land sustainability, education and community projects.

The capital budget outlines state infrastructure spending for the next two years and stays within the state’s constitutional debt limit – an important step to protect the state’s historically high AAA credit rating and avoid higher debt-service payments that could financially hinder future state budgets.

Details and specific project lists are available at the fiscal.wa.gov website.

“So far, so good,” said Wagoner, who serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee, which develops the state’s operating and capital budgets. “While there is still a lot of work to be done before we will get to the final list of approved projects, the funding included in this proposal is a great start and will go a long way toward funding critical agricultural and water infrastructure, key community projects and working-class construction jobs.”

The state capital budget provides for the acquisition, construction and maintenance of capital assets across Washington – such as schools and projects with recreational and economic-development value. Projects of importance to the 39th Legislative District in the capital budget include:

  • Darrington School District ($5 million);
  • Concrete School District ($1.28 million);
  • Stillaguamish Watershed Floodplains and Farmlands ($9.1 million);
  • Fisher Creek Restoration at Cedardale and Starbird ($3.98 million);
  • Hamilton Floodplain Education, Property Acquisition, and Restoration ($3.65 million);
  • Skagit PUD 39th District Waterline Relocations (Mt. Vernon) ($600,000);
  • Field Maintenance Shop Addition-Sedro Woolley ($874,000);
  • Frontier Heights Multi-Sport Field and Courts ($350,000)
  • Woods Lake Acquisition ($297,000);
  • Lake Stevens Historical Museum ($764,000);
  • Lake Stevens Community Food Bank (Lake Stevens) ($450,000);
  • Frontier Heights Athletic Field and Pickleball Court ($350,000);
  • Correction of Fish Barrier Culverts ($425,000);
  • Sedro-Woolley Club Renovation ($100,000); and,
  • Sea Mar CHC – Concrete ($186,000); among others.
    (Click here to view the full list of 39th District projects.)

“There is a lot in this plan for the families of the 39th District to applaud,” added Wagoner. “These projects reflect the priorities of our district, and I will be working hard to get as much of this funding as possible included in the final budget deal.”

The Senate Ways and Means committee held a public hearing on the plan today with committee and full-Senate passage expected later this week.