17th District lawmakers secure more than $46 million in the 2025-27 capital and transportation budgets

The capital budget is primarily funded through bond sales and focuses on long-term physical investments such as public schools, water systems, and community facilities

Lawmakers from the 17th District helped secure important funding for their district on Sunday, as the Washington State Legislature approved the state’s 2025-27 capital and transportation budgets.

The capital budget is primarily funded through bond sales and focuses on long-term physical investments such as public schools, water systems, and community facilities. The final budget spends $7.6 billion, with more than $15.4 million coming to the 17th District.

Sen. Paul Harris and Reps. Kevin Waters and David Stuebe, who worked to secure the funding, were pleased to see that many important projects in their district will be moving forward, including:

• $3 million for the White Salmon River Conservation Lands acquisition.
• $2 million for the Trout Lake recreation program.
• $1.8 million for the Washougal Community Library building project.
• $1.5 million for the White Salmon Valley pool.
• $1.03 million for the Hemlock Commons at Play Frontier
• $1 million for Skyline Health’s critical hospital infrastructure.
• $940,000 for the Western Skamania County public safety complex.
• $618,000 for Klickitat County Courthouse rehabilitation.
• $155,000 for safety equipment for Camas/Washougal firefighters.

“I’m pleased that the capital budget passed last weekend by the Legislature funds many important projects in our district,” said Harris, R-Vancouver. “Our 17th District team worked well with capital budget writers on including these projects in this budget, so I’m pleased our teamwork paid off.”

“As a member of the House Capital Budget Committee, I know the amount of work that went into getting this budget across the finish line,” said Waters, R-Stevenson. “It was truly a bipartisan effort to meet as many needs as possible throughout the state. I’m grateful to get this funding for our district. It means so much to our residents and communities.”

“There are so many important projects throughout Washington that need our attention,” said Stuebe, R-Washougal. “We can’t cover everything, but I’m happy to see that these projects in the 17th will receive the needed funding to move forward. They are important for our neighborhoods, communities, and the people who live there.”

The final plan leaves $348.8 million in bond capacity available for the 2026 supplemental capital budget.

Key highlights of the final capital budget include:

• $975 million for K-12 school construction, maintenance, and upgrades
• $485 million for state and community behavioral health facilities
• $585 million for infrastructure programs
• $760 million for affordable housing supply, maintenance, and preservation
• $978 million for Department of Commerce community grant programs
• $2.25 billion for natural resources
• $1.27 billion for higher education

In addition to the more than $15 million from the capital budget, the lawmakers were also able to secure more than $31 million from the transportation budget for important projects in the district and all of Southwest Washington. That includes $28.8 million for the I-5/179th Interchange and $870,000 for the SR-502/Main Street widening project. The Hood River to White Salmon Bridge over the Columbia River was also funded in this budget with $115 million for this biennium.

“I know many of you will be disappointed to hear that funding for the Slough Bridge didn’t make it into this budget cycle, and I share that disappointment,” said Stuebe. “This project is one of my top priorities because I know the danger it presents and how much it matters to our community. The good news is the committee chairs now fully understand the urgency of the issue and know I won’t stop pushing until we get the funding to replace the bridge.”

“Every one of these projects is important, including the bridges,” added Waters. “I’m especially grateful to get this critical funding for the Hood River bridge, which affects people living in the rural areas of our district. However, we have to make sure the Slough Bridge is included next time. It’s a dangerous situation that can’t be ignored.”

“While I’m disappointed the transportation budget doesn’t include money for the Slough Bridge, I’m very pleased that it provides so much funding for the new bridge connecting White Salmon and Hood River. A new bridge is important to both Washington and Oregon. Representatives Stuebe, Waters, and I will continue to work on securing money for the Slough Bridge until we succeed,” concluded Harris.

The 2025 legislative session concluded on Sunday, April 27.

Information provided by Washington State House Republicans,
houserepublicans.wa.gov