OLYMPIA – Thumb through the $4.3 billion capital budget headed to the governor and you will find $190 million earmarked for museums, parks, senior centers and a new college in Snohomish and Island counties.
Democratic and Republican lawmakers passed the budget over the weekend without bitter debate. They all receive money for projects important to their constituents and that’s a reason for smiling, not bickering.
A total of $4 million is there for the startup of a University of Washington branch campus in Snohomish, Island or Skagit county. All of it will go into planning the school’s operation and finding a location to build the campus.
Also in the budget is $433,000 for further renovations of Memorial Field, where the Everett AquaSox play; $50,000 for constructing a veterans memorial at the new high school in Oak Harbor; and $1 million for Lake Stevens civic and senior centers.
The budget calls for spending $2.2 million to buy 800 acres on Ebey Island from the YMCA of Snohomish County. It steers another $3.3 million into YMCA programs in Monroe, Mukilteo, Everett and the Snohomish area.
Funding is included for the Granite Falls Museum; Edmonds Center for the Arts; senior centers in three cities; repairs at the state prison in Monroe; new construction at Everett, Edmonds and Cascadia community colleges; and millions of dollars in state park enhancements.
Reporter Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623 or jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
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