As part of the budget, Rep. Stephanie McClintock and Rep. John Ley worked to secure more than $5.6 million in funding for the 18th District
This week, the Washington State House of Representatives unveiled its proposed 2025-27 capital budget, House Bill 1216. The $7.63 billion spending plan is focused on K-12 school construction, public infrastructure, behavioral health facilities, affordable housing, and economic development.
As part of the budget, Rep. Stephanie McClintock and Rep. John Ley worked to secure more than $5.6 million in funding for the 18th District.
“As the assistant ranking Republican on the House Capital Budget Committee, I’ve pressed hard to secure these funds,” said McClintock, R-Vancouver. “To be clear, this is still just a proposal, and everything is subject to change. However, I’m happy to see these projects currently included in the House budget.”
“These are your tax dollars that we’re working hard to bring back to the district,” said Ley, R-Vancouver. “These projects represent input we’ve received from local agencies, indicating that they are important to you and our community.”
McClintock and Ley, who represent the 18th District, have also been working on important projects located in the 49th and 20th districts. The current budget includes $1.5 million for a public safety complex/jail in the 49th District and $3.5 million for the criminal justice Southwest Regional Training Facility in the 20th District.
“Both of these projects are important items to improve public safety in Southwest Washington,” said McClintock. “They aren’t physically located in our district, but they will affect the people who live in the 18th. We need these projects to move forward, so I will continue working to make sure they are part of the final budget.”
Funding for other projects in the 18th include:
- $515,000 for the Battle Ground downtown revitalization design.
- $278,000 for a culinary upgrade to Battle Ground Public Schools.
- $383,000 for stormwater mitigation at the Tukes Work Center.
- $318,000 each for the Family Forest Fish Passage Program at Gee Creek and East Fork Lewis River.
- $803,000 for wildlife recreation at the Battle Ground Lake Equestrian Parking Lot.
- $3 million for upgrades to the Washington State University-Vancouver Central Chiller Plant.
“We are especially proud to help our law enforcement agencies obtain get these funds for much-needed public safety improvements,” Ley said.
Both representatives are requesting additional funding in the operating budget to increase the number of police officers and sheriff’s deputies on staff, thereby improving community safety.
“Battle Ground is experiencing significant growing pains as it attracts many new residents,” Ley noted. “We are pleased to help Battle Ground with funds for both their schools, their downtown revitalization efforts, and recreation in the area.”
The capital budget has a set amount of funding, meaning this money does not affect the deficit in the operating budget. Some of the other highlights of the proposed 2025-27 capital budget include:
Housing and Homelessness – $723.6 million, including:
- $100 million – Permanent supportive housing
- $80 million – First-time, low-income homebuyer assistance
- $100 million – Connecting Housing to Infrastructure Program (CHIP)
- $10 million – Youth shelters and housing
K-12 Education – $1.1 billion, including:
- $563 million – School Construction Assistance Program
- $249.5 million – Small District and Tribal Compact School Modernization
- $151.4 million – School Seismic Safety Grant Program
Higher Education – $1.4 billion, including:
- $458 million – Community and Technical Colleges
Behavioral Health – $471.7 million, including:
- $282 million – Completion of Western State Hospital
- $132.7 million – Behavioral Health Capacity grants
- $22.1 million – Maple Lane civil bed expansion
“This budget is a great example of bipartisan collaboration and effort,” said McClintock. “Members from both parties worked together to allocate these vital funds aimed at improving infrastructure and community services in the 18th District and all of Washington.”
The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, April 27.
Information provided by Washington State House Republicans, houserepublicans.wa.gov
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