OLYMPIA, WA – Just one week after Democrats in the Washington State House of Representatives released their proposed transportation budget for the 2023-2025 biennium, it has overwhelmingly passed off the House floor. The $13.6 billion spending plan was approved with a vote of 96-1.
Supporters of the budget say it reflects several priorities from not only legislators but Governor Jay Inslee as well. They say it addresses the fiscal realities pertaining to the continuation of previous legislative budgets, such as the Connecting Washington package from 2015 and last year’s Move Ahead Washington package.
In addition to those projects, Representative Joe Timmons (D-Bellingham) says this budget prioritizes investment in culverts and replacing fish passage barriers throughout the state.
Representative Eric Robertson (R-Sumner) says this budget would help the Washington State Patrol, which has been struggling with a “crisis” of the recruitment and retention of new Troopers.
In the past year, the Washington State Patrol has had upwards of 400 applicants in any given month, according to Representative Brandy Donaghy (D-Everett), who says lately the agency is only receiving around 53.
House Transportation Chair Jake Fey (D-Tacoma) says this budget honors their commitment to the people of Washington.
“Commitment to keeping key projects funded and on schedule, commitment to improve our ferry system, a commitment to restore fish passages, and a commitment to our promise to combat climate change,” Fey says. “I appreciate the collaboration with my Republican colleagues to make this a truly bipartisan effort.”
The House Transportation Budget now heads to the Senate for further consideration.
Watch the passage of the budget here:
