Legislature passes budget, adjourns

The Washington State Legislature adjourned April 23 after passing two-year budgets. It failed to approve a controversial bill setting drug possession penalties, raising the possibility of a special session in the coming weeks to resolve the issue.

The state operating budget allocates $69.3 billion for areas such as behavioral health, K-12 education and more for the 2023-25 biennium.

That budget includes $2.9 billion for K-12 education and $400 million for the Climate Commitment Act, which helps prepare for climate crises such as flooding and drought.

“Our new budget investments reflect the needs we see in communities across the state. People want strong schools, safe communities, affordable housing, climate action and an innovative economy,” said Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island. “This is a responsible spending plan that will improve lives and move our state forward.”

The budget also includes $519 million for housing in the 2023-25 biennium.

"The budget includes equally important investments in education, behavioral health, public safety and climate,” Inslee said. “We’ve taken historic actions on gun safety and abortion care access, two issues where Washington continues to be a national leader.”

The state capital budget allocates $8.98 billion in funding for the 2023-25 biennium. The budget includes funds for K-12 school construction, housing, grant programs and higher education.

“The capital budget is proof bipartisanship does exist in Olympia. I'm proud of what we've accomplished. This plan reflects key priorities that don't simply serve minority interests, but all of Washington state,” said Rep. Mike Steele, R-Chelan. “This budget supports development, encourages economic vitality and puts people to work, even in the smallest of communities.”

The state transportation budget passed with an initial vote of 96-1 in the House and a 42-6 in the Senate and final votes of 98-0 in the House and 46-3 in the Senate.

The budget allocates $13.5 billion for Washington’s transportation needs over the next two years, including traffic safety, highway projects and more.

“There’s $5.4 billion in this budget to fund highway improvements and preservation, including many of our state’s most critical projects such as the Puget Sound Gateway program that extends SR 167 from Puyallup to the Port of Tacoma, the US 395 North Spokane Corridor and the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program connecting Washington and Oregon,” said Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma.

Projects on the I-5 Bridge from Vancouver to Portland have been discussed for over 25 years and this budget is the best shot to get them done, said Greg Johnson, Interstate Bridge Replacement Program Administrator for the Department of Transportation.

Johnson said the projects include replacing the bridge. While construction is taking place on the bridge, DOT plans to maintain traffic and keep some lanes open.

“We’re going to look to keep as many lanes open as long as possible as we are constructing the new bridge,” he said.

DOT is also looking to complete a light rail section early and open it to help the flow of traffic while construction is taking place.