Proposed Senate budget would give district $16 million for construction projects

OLYMPIA – Today, the Senate’s fiscal committee chair and vice chairs, Senate Ways & Means Committee chair Sen. Margarita Prentice (D-Renton), and vice-chairs Sens. Craig Pridemore (D-Vancouver) and Karen Fraser (D-Thurston County) unveiled the proposed 2007–09 budgets, which provide money for a phase-in of all-day kindergarten, allot resources for math and science programs, and create a Rainy Day Fund.

The operating budget totals approximately $33 billion, leaving an ending fund balance of $766 million. A constitutional Rainy Day Fund would set aside $158.7 million of that amount and could be tapped only under special circumstances, such as a state of emergency declared by Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Sen. Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, said that in addition to funding items such as student financial aid and faculty retention, he was pleased to learn that the budget included a healthy reserve account.

“It addresses my focus for higher education by increasing enrollment slots, boosting financial aid opportunities and retaining our teachers,” Shin said. “Even though our economy is doing well right now, creating the rainy day account was a responsible thing to do.”

Operating budget highlights for higher education are:

• $110 million for 10,000 additional enrollment slots, which includes:

• 3,600 for community and technical colleges;
• 2,700 for four-year institutions;
• 1,250 in math and science programs; and
• 2,300 in high demand fields.

• $32.4 million for faculty recruitment and retention;
• $8.1 million for financial aid; and
• $3.3 million for a scholarship program aimed at current and former foster care youth.

One of Shin’s goals is to see a four-year university built in the Snohomish-Island-Skagit county region. The Senate capital budget includes $4 million for site recommendations, land purchasing options and transportation infrastructure evaluations.

“Our district would receive about $16 million for capital improvement projects, with Edmonds Community College receiving $13 million for needed upgrades,” Shin said.

Capital projects in the 21st Legislative District include:

• $13.6 million for renovation and improvement projects of Edmonds Community College;
• $1 million for the Edmonds Center for the Arts;
• $500,000 for acquisition of Old Woodway Elementary School in Edmonds.
• $489,000 for the Washington State Historical Society’s Heritage Program, City of Mukilteo;
• $385,000 for the YMCA in Snohomish County, located in Mukilteo;
• $300,000 for phase I construction of Mukilteo Lighthouse Park;
• $200,000 for South County Senior Services in Edmonds;
• $176,000 for North Lynnwood Park Aquatic playground; and
• $37,000 for Compass Health in Lynnwood, which provides behavioral health services.

The 2007 legislative session is scheduled to adjourn April 22.

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