Senate budget spreads $86 million across 26th District

OLYMPIA — The 26th Legislative District receives $86 million in spending on local projects in the Senate’s proposed capital budget for 2007-09, Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, announced.

Spending ranges from $37.8 million for Olympic College to $5 million for improvements to the Burnham/Borgen Interchange in Gig Harbor to enable a new hospital to be built.

“This is a construction budget that is focused on our community’s priorities, including economic development, education improvements, and facilities for youth and veterans,” Kilmer said. “Those are the right priorities.”

Other spending in the district includes:

• $4.6 million for the Retsil veterans facilities;
• $3.3 million for outdoor recreation, including Evergreen Park Expansion and shoreline restoration; Harbor Family Park acquisition; Westside Neighborhood Park and the Bremerton Boardwalk Trail;
• $1.1 million for Kitsap SEED;
• $1 million for downtown Bremerton revitalization;
• $900,000 for Kitsap Community Resources;
• $800,000 for the Gig Harbor Family YMCA; and
• $600,000 for the Gig Harbor Boys & Girls Club HOPE Center for Youth.

The Senate also announced its transportation budget this week. Local projects including funding for the construction of the Burley-Olalla Interchange and safety improvements on State Route 302 were included in the budget. Also, the Senate Transportation Committee passed an amendment by Kilmer to secure a $5 million transfer to enable half-price tolls during the first year of operation for the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

“We fund significant priorities for the community,” Kilmer said. “This budget keeps important projects on schedule, such as the Burley-Olalla Interchange and State Route 302, and provides important relief for Narrows Bridge commuters.”

The Senate and House of Representatives now must reconcile the differences in the two chambers’ budgets before the end of the legislative session, which is scheduled for April 22.

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