OLYMPIA — Money to build a new cafeteria at Marysville Pilchuck High School and expand youth programs in communities affected by the Oso mudslide is in the proposed capital budget moving through the state Senate.
There’s also money in the $3.9 billion construction-spending plan to help Washington State University cement its presence in Everett, though not as much as provided in the plan passed last week by the House.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the two-year proposal Thursday, and it could be voted on by the full Senate as early as Friday. Once passed, the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate will begin to reconcile differences and come up with a compromise.
“We’ve got plenty to negotiate,” said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, chairman of the Capital Budget Committee and chief author of the House plan.
One area of disagreement involves money for a new building in Everett for the WSU-managed University Center consortium. The program now operates on the campus of Everett Community College, and Washington State University wants to build a four-story structure in a corner of the College Plaza shopping center parking lot on North Broadway to accommodate classrooms and offices.
The Senate plan allots $50.3 million to WSU, while the House set aside $54.6 million.
“I’ve got to understand why they took $4 million out of the WSU project,” Dunshee said.
The two budgets also differ on the amount of money directed toward youth programs in cities affected by the Oso mudslide.
There is roughly $3.5 million in the Senate plan for an initiative known as the Stilly Valley Youth Project, including $2.24 million for renovation of the Arlington Boys &Girls Club, $1 million for the Granite Falls Boys &Girls Club and $296,000 for a skate park in Darrington.
The House only backed funding for the skate park.
Both budgets earmark $5 million to the Marysville School District for replacing the high school cafeteria where a deadly shooting occurred in October. The plans don’t prevent the district from seeking additional state construction dollars to match what it spends.
When the Senate plan first came out Wednesday, it contained no funding to replace the cafeteria.
Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, lead writer of the budget, said that was an oversight and the money should have been there. On Thursday, during the Ways and Means Committee meeting, the money was added through an amendment.
Other items in the Senate capital budget include:
$340,000 to the Sultan Boys &Girls club for a new facility.
$1.5 million to renovate the Edmonds pier.
$1 million for the Edmonds Senior and Community Center.
$2 million to the Mukilteo Boys &Girls Club for a new center.
$500,000 for a skateboard park at Cavalero Hill Community Park in Lake Stevens.
and $1.2 million to the Stanwood Camano Family YMCA for a new building.
A list of projects in the Senate and House budgets can be found online at leap.leg.wa.gov. Additional details by legislative district can be found at fiscal.wa.gov.
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