Final legislative budgets invest heavily in Kitsap projects, people

Legislature OKs spending plans, adjourns on time

March 13, 2008

OLYMPIA -- Kitsap lawmakers were celebrating the passage Thursday of supplemental state budgets that contain funding for a wide range of high-priority items for 23rd-district and West Sound residents.  State Reps. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo) and Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) huddled with House and Senate budget writers during the last few crucial days of the session and were able to achieve funding even for some items that had appeared to be dead as recently as a week ago.

"These are great budgets for our district," Appleton said.  "All three -- the operating, capital and transportation budgets -- make much-needed investments that benefit Kitsap communities in a number of ways." 

Rolfes and Appleton listed funds for Kitsap Mental Health's Keller (nee Burwell) House project, the Marine Science Center and the county's Well-baby Program as noteworthy examples. 

Both members led important measures addressing the ferry system.  A pair of ferry-related victories were reported earlier this week, both of which resulted from Appleton-sponsored bills:  an end to "lock-out" when two vehicles attempt to pay with a single fare card, and the reinstatement of a legislative request that the ferry system consider discounts for frequent users.   Rolfes pushed hard for funding passenger-only ferry service to Kingston and Port Townsend, as well as obtaining state matching credits for the purchase of additional ferry vessels. 

"These investments increase vital services, create jobs and encourage tourism," Appleton said, "and our ferry victories underscore the importance of commuters to the success of the whole system."

Rolfes pointed as well to a project that has been a high priority for Kitsap legislators:  obtaining funding for a study that could make it possible for Peninsula residents to receive four-year degrees without having to commute to Seattle, Tacoma or Olympia or other cities to do so. 

"Establishing a four-year baccalaureate program on the Peninsula is an important investment our region," Rolfes said. "The decisions we make about our educational institutions today can either limit or broaden the opportunities our kids are given for tomorrow. I hope this study helps us move forward."

New items in the supplemental budgets include:

• Kitsap Mental Health Keller House -- $1,000,000

• Peninsula University Study -- $212,000

• Well-baby Program -- $155,000

• Poulsbo Marine Science Center -- $100,000

The two ferry provisos, which are included in the transportation budget that received final legislative approval Wed., Mar. 12, do not have specific dollar figures assigned to them.  Rolfes pointed out that the transportation budget also funds a project led by the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council to promote more telework opportunities. 

"This has been a short session, but a productive one for the 23rd legislative district," Rolfes concluded. "That would not have happened had the delegation not worked together to prioritize district interests."

The final supplemental operating budget, the last bill OK'd by the Legislature before adjourning until next January, leaves a "rainy day" reserve of $834,000,000, one of the largest fund balances in decades.