Library funds in state budget

The Washington state legislature plans to provide at least $700,000 for a new La Conner Regional Library. Last Friday the House included $720,000 in the capital budget it passed. The Senate capital budget lists $700,000, which Library and local officials had requested.

On Monday, District 10 Senator Barbara Bailey called the Senate’s figure “the minimum. That’s what I asked for.” In an interview, she said “we are going to be negotiating toward the $720,000.”

District 10 Position 1 Rep. Norma Smith noted the long-term local efforts to fund the new library, saying “it can’t be built without comm...