The more than $4 billion state capital budget approved by legislators on Jan. 18 includes $35 million in funding for local projects, such as science, technology, engineering and math classrooms in Federal Way Public Schools, the Federal Way Senior Center, Safe City cameras and conservation efforts.
“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,” state Rep Kristine Reeves, D-Federal Way, said in a media release. “The $1 billion in new school construction across the state will lower class sizes and improve learning experiences for our kids.”
State Rep. Mike Pellicciotti, D-Federal Way, worked to fund conservation of the Weyerhaeuser North Lake property, as well as with capital budget members to include funding to replace Safe City crime hotspot 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,” Pellicciotti said in the release. “I will continue to prioritize projects important to our constituents and am happy to see this local project funding secured.”
Local projects funded in the capital budget include:
• $23 million for Highline College
• $2.8 million in Federal Way Public Schools STEM facilities
• $250,000 for land preservation on the former Weyerhaeuser campus
• $250,000 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 a kitchen upgrade at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center
• $900,000 for HealthPoint Federal Way dental clinic capacity grants
• $763,000 for the Auburn Valley YMCA
• $500,000 to the FUSION Domestic Violence Transitional Housing Program
Statewide, the capital budget totals more than $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
• $15 million for 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. The budget also includes $105 million for housing projects.
