Washington State House Democrats

OLYMPIA – With the 2007 Legislative Session more than halfway over and budget negotiations in full swing, the Legislature has entered its own version of March Budgetary Madness.

Earlier this week, the House Democrats rolled out their proposed construction budget containing over $17 million for projects in and around the 11th Legislative District - projects local lawmakers, Bob Hasegawa (D – Seattle) and Zack Hudgins, (D – Tukwila) have long advocated for.

“I’m glad I could help many of the organizations that are enriching our communities with their services,” said Rep. Hudgins. “Our tax dollars are leveraging the private sector support across a broad spectrum with this capital budget.”

Projects like the Wing Luke Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, have raised millions from private sources for a museum that will draw visitors from across the nation. Their funds will be matched with $2 million from the state. The proposal also contains an additional $2 million for the Duwamish Education Center at South Seattle Community College, to serve a growing number of students from around the region.

“The Duwamish Education Center will greatly benefit our community by providing skills training for family-wage jobs,” said Hasegawa.

Reflecting on the nature of the state’s Capital Budget, Hudgins is reminded of the diversity of the region and its significance to the entire state. “The Capital Budget is for investing in our communities,” said Hudgins.

“Each project must show the benefit to the community. Each organization must prove its viability; its history in the community; and how many people it serves in the community.”

The House capital budget includes funds for construction and improvements for many projects that serve the people in the 11th Legislative District:

·      Food Lifeline, Seattle Distribution Center - 122,000

·      Sea Mar Family Housing Community - 2,000,000

·      Duwamish Education Center - 2,000,000

·      Wing Luke Museum - 2,000,000     

·      Hiawatha Artist Lofts - 1,000,000     

·      YMCA of Greater Seattle, East Madison Youth Development Center - 250,000         

·      Asian Counseling and Referral Service - 1,000,000    

·      Chief Seattle Club Day Center & Lofts - 350,000        

·      Filipino Community of Seattle, Filstar Youth Programs Center - 145,460         

·      Boys & Girls Clubs of King County, Rainier Vista - 800,000        

·      CASA Latina - 1,000,000    

·      Divine Alternatives for Dads Services (DADS) Center - 10,000          

·      El Centro de la Raza Center - 821,000        

·      HomeSight Center - 250,000        

·      Japanese Cultural Center of Washington - 1,000,000     

·      Asian Counseling/Referral Services - 2,000,000    

·      Cannon House - 750,000        

·      Nisei Veterans Committee - 132,250        

·      Northwest African American Museum - 650,000        

·      Seattle Children's Play Garden - 332,000        

·      Cascade Land Conservancy - 201,920        

·      Urban League of Metro Seattle - 650,000

The House Capital Budget proposal also includes:

• $879 million for K-12 school construction assistance, which is a significant increase over last biennium.
• Over a billion dollars for new projects in Higher Education.
• $140 million for the Housing Trust Fund, which supports creation of affordable housing options throughout the state.
• Significant investments in parks and natural resources funding, including $100 million for the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Project, and $114 million for the Trust Land Transfer program.  A separate $220 million is earmarked for Puget Sound and Salmon recovery efforts.
• $22.4 million for a new Community Development Fund which this year gives 18 grants to distressed communities for capital projects. These grants fund projects like community centers and clinics that deliver needed services to help underserved communities.
• $1.5 million for pre-design and design of expansions at the State Penitentiary and the McNeil Island Corrections Center.

“I was proud that we stayed on course, worked in a bipartisan fashion and focused on education and jobs that will benefit the diverse people of the 11^th district,” said Hasegawa, who holds a seat on the Capital Budget Committee.

For the complete Capital Budget proposal, please visit:

http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/budget/detail/proposals.asp

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Rep. Zack Hudgins (360) 987-7956

Downloadable photo:

http://www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/house/members/photos/hudgins.jpg

Rep. Bob Hasegawa (360) 786-7862

Downloadable photo: http://www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/house/members/photos/Hasegawa.jpg

Staff contacts:

James Paribello (360) 786-7843 paribello.james@leg.wa.gov

Lilia P. Nieto (360) 786-7375 nieto-torres.lilia@leg.wa.gov

Radio and TV News Directors:  To obtain broadcast-quality audio on these issues, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact House Democratic Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov  or (360) 786-7208.