8th District Reps. Stephanie Barnard and April Connors highlight funding for local projects in House capital budget
CONTACT: Kelley Payne, Senior Public Information Officer for Reps. Stephanie Barnard and Peter Abbarno | 360-786-7761
8th District Reps. Stephanie Barnard and April Connors highlight funding for local projects in House capital budget
Following the release of the 2023-25 House capital budget on Monday, Reps. Stephanie Barnard and April Connors highlighted millions of dollars for projects proposed for the Tri-Cities area.
House Bill 1147, the $8.34 billion proposal out of the House Capital Budget Committee, would make significant investments statewide in housing, behavioral health, K-12 schools, and infrastructure.
Projects in the Tri-Cities, totaling more than $31.2 million, would include:
- $5.05 million for Process Water Reuse Facility in Pasco (9th District);
- $5 million for Three Rivers Behavioral Health Center in Kennewick (16th District);
- $4 million for Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Kennewick;
- $3.2 million for infrastructure repair at Columbia Basin College;
- $3 million for Gesa Stadium in Pasco;
- $3 million for National Guard Tri-Cities Vehicle Storage Building;
- $2.944 million for National Guard Tri-Cities Readiness Center;
- $1.122 million for south urban growth area water and sewer extensions in Kennewick;
- $798,000 for a Habitat for Humanity 20-home building project (8th and 16th districts);
- $773,000 for B5 Community Learning Center in Kennewick (16th District);
- $748,000 for Military Department facilities minor works program;
- $452,000 for The Richland Players community theater;
- $350,000 for the renovation and addition to The Richland Players theater building;
- $300,000 for Safe Harbor Support Center in Kennewick;
- $258,000 for Kennewick Kiwanis Playground (16th District);
- $200,000 for Agricultural Innovation Center in Pasco;
- $155,000 for downtown Pasco North Plaza (15th District); and
- $54,000 for Tri-Tech Skills Center.
“I’m thrilled with the number of projects included in this House-proposed capital budget for our district,” said Barnard, R-Pasco. “The capital budget not only puts people to work, it also brings constituent tax dollars back to our region – providing for infrastructure and construction projects that will support future generations. If fully approved by the Legislature, these investments will help our communities and local economy to grow and thrive.”
“This proposal is a great first step,” said Connors, R-Kennewick. “The bipartisan House capital budget released this week would make meaningful investments both statewide and in the Tri-Cities area by creating jobs, repairing infrastructure, updating schools, building more homes, and preserving historic buildings. These projects would enhance the quality of life in our community and help it flourish.”
The capital budget makes appropriations for projects tangible in nature that have a long useable life, such as schools and other public buildings, behavioral and mental health facilities, parks, low-income housing, water infrastructure, and habitat. It is funded through a variety of sources, including general obligation bonds, dedicated cash accounts, federal funds, and alternative financing contracts.
The House’s version of the capital budget must still be reconciled with the Senate’s version and signed into law by the governor. HB 1147 had a public hearing in the House Capital Budget Committee on Tuesday, March 28, and is scheduled for a vote by the committee on Thursday, March 30.
