Budget includes funds for area projects

RITZVILLE – The 2023-25 biennial capital budget includes funding for a few area projects.

The budget cleared the last legislative hurdle Sunday, April 23, and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

The budget includes $5 million for the Sprague School District, $165,000 for the Ritzville American Legional Hall, $75,000 for Ritzville Theater, $38,000 for the Kahlotus School District and $20,000 for Washtucna Town Hall improvements..

“This capital budget responds to needs here in the 9th District, as well as throughout our state,” Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said following its passage. “It provides funding for important projects in a wide variety of categories… It is truly a statewide budget that lives within our means and funds the priorities of government.

“It will benefit many communities locally and in all corners of Washington.

In addition to the local projects, the budget includes $1.5 billion for improvements at Washington State and Eastern Washington universities.

WSU will receive $40 million for engineering building construction, $40 million of preservation projects, $22 million for renovation of Eastlick-Abelson Hall, $13 million for minaor capital projects, $10 million for Knott Dairy Farm, $8 million for Bustad Hall renovation and $5 million for energy efficiency improvements.

Eastern will receive $58 million for science department renovations, $5.38 million for preservation projects, $12 million for Rozell Plant upgrades and $350,000 for Martin-Williamson Hall upgrades.

Outside of the cities, the budget included $249,000 for Zakarison farmland protections and $2.02 million for improvements to the John Wayne Trail – also known as the Palouse to Cascades Trail State Park — between Malden and Kenova, north of St. John and west of Pine City.

The trail connects Tekoa to North Bend, and passes through Adams County near Ralston, Lind and Othello.