As the 2022 legislative session winds to close this week, state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, said the supplemental capital budget includes $9.3 million for projects in the 20th District. 

Those projects and allocations include $6 million for water system improvements in Morton; $2 million for upgrades to the Lewis County Fire District 5 station in Napavine; $875,000 for the Lewis County Regional Tennis and Wrestling facility in Chehalis; $750,000 for the Oakview Elementary School in the Centralia School District; $515,000 for a playground in Tenino; $515,000 for the Woodland Community Library building project; and $155,000 for the North Trailhead restroom and covered shelter in Castle Rock. 

“This is a jobs budget that strengthens the bones of our communities. We invest millions in K-12 school construction, mental and behavioral health, housing, broadband and other infrastructure,” Abbarno said in a news release. “I’m proud to be a part of this bipartisan effort that returns taxpayer money home to our district for important local projects that help create jobs, economic opportunities, and improve the quality of life for Washingtonians.”

The budget as a whole, approved unanimously by the House Tuesday, includes $1.5 billion in funding. 

Some statewide highlights include:

• $100 million for seismic safety retrofits to school buildings at high risk of severe earthquake damage;

• $60 million for grants to expand and add capacity for crisis triage and crisis stabilization facilities for adults, including $12 million for at least two residential crisis stabilization facilities for youth;

• $120 million for the Public Works Board to issue grants and loans to local governments for infrastructure projects;

• $100 million for broadband infrastructure grants;

• $40 million for the Community Economic Revitalization Board to assist local governments in financing economic development infrastructure improvements;

• $300 million for rapid capital housing acquisition for the quick conversion into shelters, permanent supportive housing, or transitional housing, including $60 million for the rapid, permanent supportive housing programs;

• $114.5 million for the Housing Trust Fund, including $25 million for projects benefitting first-time home buyers and $16.4 million for specified projects;

• $9 million for grants to local governments and public utility districts to assist in the cost of utility connections for affordable housing projects; and

• $236 million for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Program to construct or improve water pollution control facilities and nonpoint source activities.

“This construction budget will improve our communities, create economic opportunities and puts people to work. It’s a great budget for our state and the 20th District,” Abbarno said.

Read more in The Chronicle