Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Eastern Adams County's Only Independent Voice Since 1887
Sen. Schoesler pleased with biennial plan
The Senate has passed a biennial capital budget.
RITZVILLE - The Senate's proposed 2023-25 biennial capital budget includes funding for several projects in the area.
Washtucna, Kahlotus, Sprague, Lincoln County Fair, the Ritzville American Legion Hall, Ritzville Theater and Coyote Ridge Corrections Center all have allocations in the budget.
In addition, the budget includes funds for projects at Washington State University and Eastern Washington University.
"I'm also pleased by the funding for water-supply projects, which would benefit agriculture
and other water users," Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville said, noting the budget has something for nearly every corner of the 9th Legislative District.
Schoesler represents the district, which includes eastern Adams and Franklin, southern Spokane, Lincoln and Whitman and other counties.
"This is a true bipartisan capital budget in which Republicans and Democrats worked together for the good of Washington," Schoesler said. "I'm pleased with it, both from a local perspective and how it would help the state overall."
The biennial capital budget includes area funding for:
Sprague School District, $5 million
Lincoln County Fair and livestock in Davenport, $1 million
Modular health services staff building at Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Connell, $428,000
Zakarison, $249,000 for farmland protection
Ritzville American Legion, $165,000 for renovation of the Legion Hall
Ritzville Theater, $75,000 for the Ritzville Theater
Kahlotus School District, $38,000 for the Kahlotus School District
Davenport School District, $25,000
Washtucna, $20,000 Town Hall work.
The capital budget also earmarks $1.2 billion for university projects and funding for water-supply projects in the Columbia, Yakima and Chehalis river basins, as well as two crime labs and three criminal justice training centers.
Washington State University projects included are:
Engineering Student Success Building construction, $40 million
Eastlick-Abelson Hall renovation, $22 million
Infrastructure improvements at Knott Dairy Farm, source of the milk for Cougar Gold cheese, $10 million
Bustad Hall renovation, $8 million
Clean building standard energy efficiency improvements, $5 million
Eastern Washington University projects in the budget include:
Science Department renovations, $58 million
Minor preservation projects, $16.75 million
Rozell Plant upgrade, $12 million
Martin-Williamson Hall, $350,000
The state House of Representatives has yet to release its budget. Once passed, House and Senate budget leaders will meet to work out a final proposal for a capital budget.
Roger Harnack is owner/publisher of Free Press Publishing. An award-winning journalist, photographer, editor and publisher who grew up in Eastern Washington, he's one of only two Washington state journalists ever to receive the international Golden Quill for editorial/commentary writing. Roger is committed to preserving local media, and along with it, a local voice for Eastern Washington.
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