Clark County is slated to get additional funding for various projects under supplemental budgets released by state Senate Democrats.
The supplemental budgets are intended to make adjustments and corrections to two-year budgets passed by lawmakers in even years.
According to a summary of the supplemental operating budget, the state has an additional $1.2 billion from higher-than-expected revenue forecasts and is expected to save $131 million in entitlement program spending.
The budget is intended to meet a long-standing state Supreme Court order by directing $1 billion to fully fund teacher and staff salaries. It would also provide $403 million to reduce property taxes. Specifically, beginning in 2019 it would cut state property taxes used to fund the education package from $2.70 per thousand dollars of assessed value to $2.39. The budget would also direct spending toward mental health and other social services.
In a statement, Gov. Jay Inslee praised the budget for making “crucial investments in urgent public needs such as the opioid crisis and mental health, while providing people across the state some relief from property taxes.”
The supplemental operating budget directs $1.6 million to assist seven counties, including Clark, with a buildable lands program that’s intended to address housing issues. Clark County will also receive $149,000 for a pilot project aimed increasing access to local workforce training.
In January, the state Legislature passed a capital budget, which had been delayed over an impasse in the Senate over water rights. Senate Democrats also released a supplemental capital budget that would add another $334.7 million in new funding for infrastructure projects.
Clark County will receive $3.7 million in new funding for projects that include the Washougal steamboat landing dock and demolition of five aging buildings at the Washington State Center for Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss.
In a text, Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, said that funding is limited in the supplemental budget.
“That said, I am pleased a number of priority needs in our community were a part of the supplemental budgets,” said Cleveland. She highlighted $500,000 for renovations at the Clinton & Gloria John Teen Club in the capital supplemental, $240,000 for workforce grants for Educational Service District 112 and others.
Democrats in the House and Senate also released supplemental budgets totaling $819 million and $825 million, respectively. Cleveland called attention to $500,000 in for the Waterfront Development Renaissance Trail at the Port of Vancouver that was included.
