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OLYMPIA–State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-9, Ritzville, says the new two-year state capital budget passed by the Legislature passed late last week delivers funding for many projects in the 9th District, including some found in Pomeroy.
"I appreciate the feedback from various people in Pomeroy and other communities throughout our district who let me know last year what projects needed funding in the capital budget," said Schoesler, who is the Senate Republican leader on the capital budget. "Thanks to discussions with people throughout our district, as well as collaboration with my seatmates, Representatives Schmick and Dye, many needs in the 9th are addressed in this budget."
The new capital budget includes funding for two athletic projects in Pomeroy: $350,000 to install lighting at the ball field and another $350,000 for football field improvements.
The new capital budget includes $8 million for fairs in the state and $5 million in Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) grants to the Future Farmers of America Foundation.
The capital budget funds the construction and maintenance of state buildings, public-school matching grants, higher-education facilities, public lands, parks, water infrastructure and other assets.
Overall, the new state capital budget (Senate Bill 5200) appropriates a total of $9 billion in spending, including nearly $694 million for affordable-housing projects; $872 million for K-12 education projects; $1.5 billion in total funding for higher education; $884 million to address behavioral-health needs; and $2.4 billion for natural-resource projects that address water quality and supply, salmon recovery, outdoor recreation and conservation, state parks, state trust lands and more.
The Senate passed the capital budget 48-0 Saturday after the House approved it 96-0 on Friday. It has been sent to Gov. Jay Inslee for his consideration. The capital budget will take effect July 1.
