Tag Archives: Capital Budget

Muzzall helps secure over $10 million in the capital budget for 10th District

State Sen. Ron Muzzall is praising the bipartisan work on the state’s community investment budget as he worked to secure just over $10.4 million in appropriations for affordable housing, conservation, and behavioral health efforts around the 10th District.

The proposal, Senate Bill 5949, was approved unanimously and invests over $1.3 billion overall across Washington.

“Our communities in the 10th District are facing similar challenges with affordability and infrastructure to deliver critical services. I’m proud to support these investments that help nonprofit organizations, local governments, and schools meet increasing demands placed on them,” said Muzzall, an Oak Harbor Republican. “I’m particularly pleased that we’ll see significant investments in behavioral health facilities and workforce housing.”

Muzzall fought to include $1.9 million for the Holman Recovery Center in Arlington and another $1.6 million for Generations Place Workforce Housing in Langley. Muzzall also garnered $77,000 for the Camano Lutheran Childcare Center upgrade of fire suppression systems to meet new licensing requirements. Local media reported that Camano Island is already a childcare desert as an innovative outdoor program was halted by local officials.

“A county commissioner reached out to me with a last-minute request that was missing in the Senate’s original proposal, and I worked hard to ensure a safe environment to learn in a part of our district facing struggles with childcare access,” said Muzzall.

Significant investments include:

  • $93,000 for an increase in beds at the Ituha Stabilization Facility
  • $600,000 for historic preservation of the Langley Library
  • $100,000 for the Stanwood Police Station

“We’ve also had the opportunity to reappropriate some funds from previous years for shovel-ready projects,” Muzzall added. “Jensen Park in Arlington will see an investment of $273,000 this year so that the community can have a safer, more welcoming public space.”

Click here to find a complete list of funded projects in the 2024 supplemental capital budget.

Muzzall garners nearly $30 million for district schools

The state Senate unveiled its proposal for the 2023-25 Capital Budget today. Hailed by negotiators as a record investment for housing, state Sen. Ron Muzzall is proud to have secured nearly $30 million for school districts who’ve struggled to get local resources for capital projects. Oak Harbor School District, whose local bond was recently rejected, is set to receive the lion’s share of capital-related funds.

“Capital costs are significant burdens for our school districts and I’m proud to support these robust investments from the state,” Muzzall said. “Oak Harbor has tried unsuccessfully with their local bonds, and I think taxpayers feel fatigued with those assessments. This mechanism of funding is a way to meet those needs without further burdening property owners in the district.”

In the Senate’s version of the state’s construction budget, $13.9 million would go toward the Oak Harbor Early Learning Center, which houses early learning programs for children ages 3-5 and other special education programs for the district’s youngest learners.  Another $13.6 million is allocated to Crescent Harbor Elementary. Muzzall also fought to include funding for La Conner School District, which would receive just over $1.5 million for their capital projects in the Senate’s proposal.

Muzzall points to the high level of funding as an opportunity for schools to receive further federal matching dollars to make capital improvements a reality. If the level of funding championed by Muzzall is maintained, the district could be eligible for an additional $55.9 million for early learning and $53.9 million for elementary schools.

“Thank you to Senator Muzzall for his continued efforts advocating on behalf of our students. Through your leadership, we have an opportunity to capture critical Department of Defense federal matching dollars to rebuild two aging schools on military installations that currently house more than 800 students (pre school – 12th grade) every day,” said Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Michelle Kuss-Cybula. “By approving Senate Bill 5324, you are investing in our children and the future of our community. Thank you for being a champion for all of our students.”

The final capital budget still needs to be negotiated with the House of Representatives and approved by both Chambers. The House is set to release their proposal next Monday, March 27. Muzzall is committed to working with his House counterparts to maintain the strong education spending during negotiations.