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April 18, 2024
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Our state approves three budgets every two years. These budgets fund Washington’s operating ($71.9 billion), transportation ($14.6 billion), and capital ($10.3 billion) expenditures, including public services, transportation improvements, and infrastructure projects. Due to its size and scope, much public attention is directed to the operating budget, but the other budgets also fund significant investments for our state and region.
 The Washington State Legislature approved its 2023-2025 Capital Budget during its 105-day session in 2023 and an updated budget during its 60-day session in 2024.
2024 “Supplemental” Capital Budget
The 12th District legislators have been able to generate big wins for our region through the capital budget. Our legislative team, with Rep. Steele serving a key role in its development, has been able to leverage this budget to successfully fund many of our regional priorities, including new buildings at Wenatchee Valley College, enhancements for outdoor recreation, improvements to park facilities, water and sewer extensions, and other key projects. On March 29, the Governor signed the updated 2023-25 capital budget. All of the funding provided in the original two-year budget and supplemental items are authorized for the remainder of the two years ending June 30, 2025. Below are highlights.
Matching Funds for School Facilities
 The 2024 supplemental capital budget significantly focused on improvements to school facilities, which is a shared responsibility between the state and local districts. The budget, signed into law on March 29, includes additional state matching funds ($375 per square foot rather than $271 per square foot) for school districts whose voters approve school bonds.
The updated capital budget placed a priority on supporting K-12 school facilities. It includes a significant increase to the School Construction Assistance Program, which provides matching grants to school districts whose communities approve construction bonds. Eligible school districts will now receive $375 per square foot of matching funds for facilities rather than the previous $271 per square foot. This is a huge boost in allocation and could benefit local school districts if voters approve their bond proposals.
Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center
 The Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center received $14.5 million for its renovations and expansion, making the project one of the most significant items in the supplemental capital budget.
This year’s budget placed a special focus on K-12 school facilities. Like the increased matching funds mentioned previously, funding for skills centers was a top K-12 priority because they equip regional students with technical job skills. Students completing skills center programs can enter the workforce with healthy earnings. The Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center received $14.5 million for its renovations and expansion, making it one of the most significant projects funded in the budget.
Leavenworth Affordable Rental Project
 The capital budget update includes $1.3 million in funding to complete Upper Valley MEND’s Affordable Rental Project, which will preserve 31 apartment units in Leavenworth for affordable workforce rentals. Thank you to the Marson Family and Upper Valley MEND for helping make Leavenworth’s Affordable Rental Project possible. Click here to learn more.
Access to stable and affordable housing is critical to Leavenworth, a community heavily reliant on a local workforce to support its thriving tourism industry. This year’s capital budget update includes $1.3 million in funding to complete Upper Valley MEND’s Affordable Rental Project, which will preserve 31 apartment units in Leavenworth for affordable workforce rentals. This project has been a multi-year effort for MEND, which received support from the City of Leavenworth, Chelan County, Washington State, and private contributors. This year’s $1.3 million closes the project’s final funding gap. Thank you to Kaylin Bettinger and Upper Valley Mend, Leavenworth’s Mayor Carl Florea, Chelan County Commissioners, my House seatmates, and many others working together to help address Leavenworth’s unique affordable housing challenges.
Regional Sports Complex Site Evaluation
 Multiple local governments have been working together over the past several months to study the possibility of joining forces to construct a Regional Sports Complex, including an indoor aquatic facility. The Chelan-Douglas Regional Port Authority was awarded $300,000 in the supplemental capital budget to continue the regional study efforts, including site evaluations.
Wenatchee Valley YMCA
 The Wenatchee Valley YMCA is actively planning and designing a new facility near Wenatchee Ave. and 5th Street. The $25 million-plus facility will include an indoor running and walking track, expanded early learning areas, aquatic facilities, youth and adult recreation centers, and more. The project received $1 million in funding in 2023 as part of the 2023-25 capital budget.
The 12th District legislators were proud to support $1 million of funding in the 2023-25 capital budget toward the future Wenatchee Valley YMCA. The current facility consists of two connected buildings built in 1912 and 1926. While the “Y” has delivered great services at this location for over 100 years, a facility of this age presents several challenges related to youth activities, safety standards and ADA compliance. The YMCA employs nearly 100 full-time and part-time staff members and is a key community stakeholder. To help meet the needs of the growing Wenatchee Valley, the YMCA has been actively planning a new facility as an anchor partner in Chelan PUD’s 5th Street redevelopment project. The new facility's design includes an indoor running and walking track, expanded early learning areas, an 8,500 square-foot indoor aquatic center with two pools, various youth and adult recreation centers, and more. The new facility is expected to cost over $25 million. As a key partner in the 5th Street redevelopment project, the YMCA has agreed with the PUD to acquire a portion of its property. The state’s capital budget funding can be applied toward land acquisition, demolition, and site preparation at the Y’s new location. For more information on the YMCA’s future facility, click here.
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Wenatchee Valley Museum
 The Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center is undertaking a significant expansion and redesign project currently in the design phase. Once completed, the facility will include a redesigned lobby, expanded exhibits, and many renovated spaces. It will also include a new entrance from Centennial Park, which is currently behind the facility.
The 2023-2025 capital budget includes $1 million for the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center towards its future expansion and redesign project. The museum’s buildings were built in 1917 and 1937, lacking many modern amenities and basic functionality. The overall plan includes swapping the front and back entrances so visitors can enter the museum from Centennial Park behind the facility. The remodeled areas will include a large, light-filled entry lobby, new exhibit space, and restored existing space. The ambitious project is projected to be completed over three phases: planning, design, and construction. The capital funding provided will assist the museum in working to complete its design phase. The project will help preserve this location in the heart of downtown Wenatchee and serve the entire region, including Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan counties. It has the support of many local partners. For more information, click here.
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 Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your State Senator. Supporting capital projects in our communities is an exciting part of my job, and I’m proud to work alongside my House seatmates and local officials to improve our district’s facilities. Seeing the tangible benefits of various grants is very rewarding. Please contact me if you have questions about funds your organization may qualify for.
Looking ahead to next session
I was proud to support the updated capital budget because it offers many benefits to our district. Approving the budgets is a major focus every time the Legislature convenes. With the three budgets approved and updated for the 2023-2025 biennium, lawmakers will not likely meet again in session until January 2025. The Legislature's makeup could differ depending on new members taking office, but I anticipate the capital budget will continue to be a bipartisan effort.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve
Please contact me anytime if you have any questions about these projects or future efforts. If you’d like to learn more about my legislative efforts on your behalf, please visit my website senatorbradhawkins.org. Also, my office has been actively working to share information about my Facebook page. You can like and follow me on Facebook for my latest updates.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your state senator.
Sincerely,
 Brad Hawkins
State Senator Brad Hawkins
12th Legislative District
Website: senatorbradhawkins.org
P.O. Box 40412 | Olympia, WA 98504-0412
(360) 786-7622 or Toll-free: (800) 562-6000
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