Rep. Richard DeBolt’s statement on finalized bipartisan 2019-21 capital budget
The Legislature approved the final version of the state’s 2019-21 biennial capital budget Sunday afternoon. The infrastructure improvement and construction budget proposes to spend $4.9 billion, $3.22 billion of which is from the sale of general obligation bonds. It leaves $69.6 million in bond capacity for the 2020 supplemental capital budget.
Rep. Richard DeBolt, R-Chehalis, ranking Republican member on the House Capital Budget Committee, was a lead negotiator and budget writer for the plan. During House floor debate, the 20th District lawmaker noted the strong bipartisan work it took to put it together.
“It was truly gratifying to help steer this effort. This budget was built on bipartisan relationships. With a lot of cooperation and hard work, we took the right steps forward on construction and infrastructure plans that will benefit Washingtonians for generations to come.
“We managed to seamlessly knit together top priorities from both the operating and capital budgets, including mental and behavioral health. Other concerns like K-12 education, affordable housing, culvert removal, orcas and water quality issues are also addressed.
“I’m also glad that I could help secure funding for several community-based projects in the 20th District. Some of those investments include more than $73 million for the Chehalis Basin; $4.9 million for the Williapa Hills Trail; $2 million for the Centralia-Chehalis Early Learning project and $1 million for renovations at the Fox Theatre in Centralia.”
Highlights from the approved 2019-21 capital budget include:
- K-12 school construction – $1.09 billion;
- Mental and behavioral health – $308 million;
- Higher education facilities – $973.6 million;
- Public works assistance – $125 million;
- Housing – $175 million;
- Department of Commerce community grant programs – $230 million; and
- Natural Resources – $448.1 million
For a complete list of budget documents go to http://fiscal.wa.gov/BudgetCBills.aspx. District project lists can be found at http://fiscal.wa.gov/BudgetCProjList.aspx.
