04/08/2009: "Ranker: $93M For 40th District"

OLYMPIA - Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, announced this week that the proposed 2009-2011 Capital budget contains more than $93 million in investments and construction projects for the 40th district over the next two years.

“The construction projects that are funded in this budget are going to create local jobs and provide valuable infrastructure that will benefit our community for years to come,” Ranker said.

“Our state’s budgets were hit hard by the global economic crisis, but I’m glad we can help bring over $90 million to our community to help stimulate our local economy.”

The proposed capital budget includes nearly $1 million to repair sewers in Moran State Park on Orcas Island, and more than $130,000 in investments in Friday Harbor for natural resource facilities. An additional $1.5 million was added to a previous $4 million investment for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for preservation projects on Blanchard Mountain in Skagit County.

For the 40th District’s colleges and universities, the budget proposal includes dramatic investments for infrastructure and rehabilitating aging buildings at Western Washington University, and new construction at Skagit Valley College.

Infrastructure investments at Western Washington University will receive $85 million, including more than $50 million for renovating Miller Hall. Nearly $3.8 million will go to Skagit Valley College for maintenance and preservation and its Academic and Student Services Building.

“The capital budget is a long-term investment strategy. We’ll use these funds to help get more money flowing in our local economies this year,” Ranker said. “While we’ve had to make painful cuts to balance our 2009 Operating budget, the capital budget investments will be paid with bonds over 30 years. We’re investing for the future and helping local economies today, and looking toward a time when the economy is back to a healthy level.”