State budget includes funds for area projects

DAVENPORT — The 2023-25 biennial capital budget includes funding for a few area projects.

The budget cleared the last legislative hurdle Sunday, April 23, and is awaiting the governor’s signature.

The budget includes $32.8 million for the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project, $5 million in construction funds for the Sprague School District, $3.492 million for Farmland Preservation-Davenport Cattle Agricultural Easement, $2.186 million in construction for the Davenport School District, $25,000 more to the School District in planning grants, $1 million for Lincoln County Fair and Livestock and $500,000 for the Columbia Basin Conservation District Implementation of Odessa Groundwater Replacement Project,

“This capital budget responds to needs here in the 9th District, as well as throughout our state,” Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, said following its passage. “It provides funding for important projects in a wide variety of categories… It is truly a statewide budget that lives within our means and funds the priorities of government.

“It will benefit many communities locally and in all corners of Washington.”

In addition to the local projects, the budget includes $1.5 billion for improvements at Washington State and Eastern Washington universities.

Eastern will receive $58 million for science department renovations, $5.38 million for preservation projects, $12 million for Rozell Plant upgrades and $350,000 for Martin-Williamson Hall upgrades.

WSU will receive $40 million for engineering building construction, $40 million of preservation projects, $22 million for renovation of Eastlick-Abelson Hall, $13 million for minor capital projects, $10 million for Knott Dairy Farm, $8 million for Bustad Hall renovation and $5 million for energy efficiency improvements.

The biennial budget passed the House, 96-0, on Friday, April 21; and the Senate, 48-0, on Sunday, April 23.