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Key link: House Capital Budget Highlights (PDF)

House construction budget focuses on maintenance and preservation throughout state

April 1, 2009

OLYMPIA – The global economic downtown means this year’s state construction budget is aimed more at maintaining and repairing what we have than continuing the historic investments in building new schools and universities.

“My father always used to say it’s better to fix what you have than buy a new one,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, chair of the House Capital Budget Committee. “That pretty much sums up our approach to the Capital Budget.”

This year’s focus on maintenance and preservation still creates jobs in every corner of Washington state. Efforts to repair and extend the life of existing facilities mean that smaller-scale projects like plumbing, electrical repair and weatherization will be a priority. Local contractors hit hard by the drop in housing construction will have opportunities to work on these projects instead.

One of the major highlights of the proposed budget is the transfer of $780 million cash to the state’s operating budget to help with an unprecedented shortfall. The budget also maximizes bonding capacity.

Federal recovery dollars that the state is anticipating will be used to fund energy efficiency and weatherization projects, as well as habitat restoration and programs to protect natural resources.

Local community grants, which are requested by members of the legislature for their specific districts, will see a drastic reduction in this biennial budget. Just under $25 million is set aside for these grants; in the previous biennium, $220 million was used for local projects.

“This is a tough budget for tough times,” said Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane, vice chair of the committee. “We’ve reached our twin objectives of protecting existing projects and creating new jobs by preserving schools and other public buildings and facilities. As the economy rebounds, we’ll redouble our efforts toward building a newer, even stronger Washington.”

Highlights of the proposed budget include:

• $872 million for public schools, including construction assistance, small repair grants, and a Health and Safety Grant Program. The matching construction grant program remains fully funded.
• $678 million for renovation, prevention and minor works projects to preserve the state’s public assets.
• $110 million for the state’s Housing Trust Fund, plus $83 million in federal recovery funds for the Housing Finance Commission and housing authorities.
• $80 million for the Washington Wildlife Recreation Program.
• $233 million for Puget Sound Restoration and Salmon Recovery.

Although the proposed budget scales back funding for most construction compared to its predecessor, projects that protect the health and safety of the public still receive top priority. Last year, the city of Tenino received funding from the state’s capital budget to deal with cesspools that were threatening the municipal drinking water supply. The year before, the town of Tieton needed emergency capital budget funds when its entire water system failed. The 2009-2011 proposed budget sets aside $503 million for assistance to local governments.

The House Capital Budget Committee will meet next on Thursday, April 2, at 1:30 p.m. in House Hearing Room C to consider the proposed construction budget.