Budgets add up for cities
Published 10:37 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
The state Legislature ended the 2007 session by passing the capital budget Sunday after approving the transportation budget Saturday.
The two measures have funds directed toward a number of Plateau projects.
The House passed the capital budget 96-1 and the transportation budget was passed 76-21.
Sen. Pam Roach, R-Auburn, representing the 31st District, said she supported the two budgets. The capital budget passed out of the Senate Saturday 46-0 and the transportation budget was approved Friday in the Senate chambers 46-3.
In a press release Roach said, “I'm pleased that the capital budget funds so many projects in our district. Thanks to our strong economy, we're in a position where we can provide money for several one-time-only projects.”
The bills will now move to the Governor Chris Gregoire's desk before being signed. The governor has 20 days to sign the bills and she has the ability to use the line-item veto.
According to the governor's communication office the budget bills are the last signed and are analyzed carefully before being signed.
Some of the transportation projects receiving money affecting the Plateau are:
€ adding a lane to state Route 410 from 214th Avenue East to 234th Avenue East and a slope stabilizing project;
€ a paving project from Southeast 436th Street to High Point Street in Enumclaw;
€ $868,000 for the city of Bonney Lake's sidewalk extension and safety education program; and
€ almost $1.1 million for Bonney Lake's shared use path and sidewalk extension, part of the Safe Routes to Schools program.
The following are Plateau area projects listed in the capital budget:
€ $4.2 million for the Rainier School wastewater treatment plant;
€ $665,000 for the Rainier School storm and sanitary sewer Phase 3 project; and
€ $750,000 for the Enumclaw's wastewater treatment plant.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
