Kitsap senators secure funding for higher education, mental health and newborn babies

OLYMPIA — The proposed 2008 Operating and Capital Budgets passed this week by the Senate include funding for expanding higher education and mental health services in Kitsap county.

“We’ve been trying to establish more opportunities for people to pursue post-secondary education on the Kitsap Peninsula, and the funding provided in this budget is a good start,” said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who serves as vice-chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee.

The 2008 Operating Budget includes $212,000 for the Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a program and operating plan for a university center in the Kitsap County area that will expand higher education opportunities for residents of the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas.

The 2008 Capital Budget includes $1 million for construction of a new facility to provide transitional and long term housing to clients of Kitsap Mental Health Services. The current facility being used is very outdated and crowded.

“This funding will enable the construction of a new facility,” said Sen. Phil Rockefeller, D-Kitsap County, who serves on the Senate Ways & Means Committee. “We cannot continue to send fragile people back to the community without some of the housing that is needed to keep them and those who treat them safe.”

Another top priority for Kitsap County is the Well-Baby program. The Senate budget included $155,000 which provides funding for the Kitsap County Health District to increase the number of women who receive professional support after delivery through home visit or telephone. The County health district must commit to an equal amount of funding to receive these state funds.

Return to Sen. Kilmer's home page

Return to Sen. Rockefeller's home page