House capital budget proposal heads to Senate

Washington state representatives unanimously passed the House’s 2021-23 capital budget proposal during a virtual legislative debate Friday and it will now head to the Senate for further consideration.

House Bill 1080 would allocate $5.7 billion to new capital projects in the next two years, according to the bill’s text. Of the total allocation, $3.6 billion would be financed by “new general obligation bond proceeds.”

One of the highlights in HB 1080 includes placing $175 million into the Housing Trust Fund, according to a legislative document. The fund provides grants to communities that build and renovate affordable housing for low-income and special needs individuals.

The Senate unanimously passed HB 1080’s companion, SB 5083, on March 30. SB 5083 had its first reading in the House on April 2.

Rep. Steve Tharinger, D-Port Townsend, is HB 1080’s primary sponsor. He said during the virtual legislative debate the bill “will provide hope and opportunity.” The bill also addresses people who have been historically underrepresented when budgets are crafted, he said.

“This is really about people,” Tharinger said. “It’s about rebuilding our economy for the future.”

Another highlight in HB 1080 includes allocating $155 million worth of grants and loans for improving and expanding access to broadband in underserved areas, according to the document.

Rep. Mike Steele, R-Chelan, said during the virtual legislative debate HB 1080 is “the only budget that is 100% bipartisan.” Both parties worked to develop “historic funding” for water-related projects, which impacts most eastern Washingtonians, he said.

The state Department of Ecology would receive $115.5 million under HB 1080 to increase water supply to “meet the instream flow needs of fish and wildlife and the out-of-stream needs of agriculture and communities,” according to the document.

“Every decision that we were making as we went along was developed in a sense to help our friends and neighbors,” Steele said.

Rep. Lisa Callan, D-Issaquah, said during the virtual legislative debate HB 1080 makes record investments for K-12 education, which benefits parents who want to ensure their children are learning.

“We know that every dollar that we spend educating and training a student is an investment in their success,” Callan said.

Under HB 1080, an additional $189 million from the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund would be allocated to “critical capital projects,” according to the bill’s text. The fund is under the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress passed early March.

“This historic budget invests deeply into our local communities and strengthens those local partnerships, which is maybe the best part of this budget,” Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, said during the virtual legislative debate.

Some of the other highlights in HB 1080 include:

• $227 million for the state Public Works Board to finance loans for projects related to sewer, drinking water, stormwater and other things.

• $73 million to expand community-based behavioral health services.

• $35.3 million to purchase, build or renovate facilities for early learning programs.

• $21.5 million for projects on clean energy and renewable technologies.

• $11.2 million for youth athletic facilities.

• $8.7 million for the state Department of Commerce to fund eight food bank projects.