The Senate’s proposed two-year state supplemental capital budget includes funding to efforts to recover from two major wildfires that struck Spokane County last year, and reduce emissions at the Kaiser Aluminum plant in Spokane Valley, says 4th District Sen. Mike Padden.
“I’m pleased to see the $975,000 to help with the recovery from last summer’s Gray fire, and the Oregon Road wildfire near the community of Elk,” said Padden, R-Spokane Valley, noting that the wildfire recovery effort will be administered by the Spokane Conservation District. “The $4.8 million to replace the boiler at the Kaiser plant is about meeting state emission requirements, so this funding is a big win for Kaiser and its workers. It’s a good capital budget for the 4th District and for the state, and it’s good to see taxpayers’ money coming back to be invested in local projects.”
The Senate’s supplemental capital budget also funds three other 4th District projects:
- $118,000 in phase two funding for Spokane Scale House Market in Spokane Valley. The 2023-25 budget included $750,000 for Spokane Scale House Market.
- $150,000 for the city of Spokane Valley Cross Country Course.
- $32,000 for the West Valley Centennial Middle School baseball field’s fences and dugout.
“The phase-two funding in the Senate budget should help Spokane Scale House Market complete its project,” said Padden. “I’m also pleased that our budget helps fund the new cross-country course and Centennial Middle School’s baseball field project.”
The Senate’s supplemental capital budget plan, Senate Bill 5949, funds the construction and maintenance of state buildings, public-school matching grants, higher-education facilities, public lands, parks and other assets.
The Senate supplemental capital budget was approved this afternoon by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The full Senate is expected to vote on the spending plan later this week.
The House Capital Budget Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the House’s proposed supplemental capital budget tomorrow.