Local projects will soon receive state funding, thanks to capital budget negotiators striking an agreement to pass the 2017 construction plan. Representative Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, is a member of the Capital Budget Committee and secured funding for STEM classrooms, the Federal Way Senior Center, and the Auburn YMCA, along with other projects totaling over $35 million.

“I’m excited that the capital budget is finally law—and that Saghalie Middle School will finally get the STEM classroom funding they need to help educate our children and ready them for the 21st century economy,” said Reeves. “The $1 billion in new school construction across the state will lower class sizes and improve learning experiences for our kids.”

Representative Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way, has been a vocal advocate to fund conservation of the Weyerhaeuser North Lake property, and worked with capital budget members to include funding to replace Federal Way’s “Safe City” crime hot spot cameras to improve public safety in Federal Way.

“We’ve worked hard in these first two weeks of the legislative session to ensure that state funding was approved to help keep our streets safe, improve schools, and beautify our community. I will continue to prioritize projects important to our constituents and am happy to see this local project funding secured,” said Pellicciotti.

Additional projects funded in the capital budget:

$23 million to Highline Community College,

$2.8 million in Federal Way School STEM facilities,

$250,000 for Weyerhaeuser Campus Land Preservation,

$250,000 in funding for the Federal Way Safe City Camera replacement project,

$175,000 for the Federal Way Senior Center,

$250,000 for the Federal Way Chamber Economic Development Project,

$1 million for the Performing Arts & Events Center,

$900,000 for Healthpoint Federal Way dental clinic capacity grants,

$763,000 for the Auburn Valley YMCA, and,

$500,000 to the FUSION Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program.

Statewide, the capital budget totals in at over $4 billion in projects, with significant education investments, including:

$1 billion for school construction,

$15.5 million to build Early Learning facilities,

$30 million for rural and distressed K-12 schools,

$800 million for state colleges and universities, with $433 million for community and technical colleges, and

$15 million for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) grants at K-12 schools.

Mental health investments include $76 million for community behavioral health, $58 million for construction and renovation of state facilities, and $24 million for supportive housing programs. There is also an additional $105 million for housing projects.

– Washington House Democrats