Schools Benefit from Record Spending

OLYMPIA – Community organizations and programs serving the diverse 37th Legislative District, which includes southeast Seattle and part of Renton, will benefit from funding in the House of Representatives' capital, operating and transportation budgets.
"These budgets help build a better Washington for our kids, grandkids and families," said Rep. Eric Pettigrew, D-Seattle. "I'm proud and excited that we're breaking the state record for building new schools and putting more than a billion into building colleges and universities."
Youth programs, cultural museums, assisted living homes, neighborhood revitalization programs and resource centers would be among the recipients of more than $13.3 million earmarked for the district, which could also benefit from more than $200 million in major road and transportation projects listed in the $7.4 billion Transportation Budget. The spending plan also includes funding for design work to address immediate safety concerns on the Alaska Way Viaduct.
The total House budget includes $879 million for statewide K-12 school construction assistance, $140 million for the Housing Trust Fund and $220 million for Puget Sound and salmon recovery efforts.
Under the Capital proposal, the more than $13.3 million allocated to the 37th District would go to develop or enhance museum projects and the cultural center industry, including:
• Northwest African American Museum - $650,000;
• Boys & Girls Clubs of King County (Rainier Vista) - $800,000;
• Seattle Children's Play Garden - $332,000;
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service - $3 million;
• El Centro de la Raza Center - $821,000;
• Nisei Veterans Committee -$382,000;
• African Chamber of Commerce - $100,000; and
• Divine Alternatives for Dads Services Center - $10,000.
The following road and transportation projects located in or running through the 37th District would receive funding under the Transportation Budget:
• Divine Alternatives for Dads Services Center - $10,000;
• Mt. Baker Ridge Viewpoint - $175,000;
• I-5/South Seattle Northbound Viaduct (bridge paving) - $13.1 million;
• I-90 Two Way Transit and HOV improvements - $36.7 million; and
• State Route 167 HOT Lanes (pilot project) - $12.7 million.
The operating budget also includes funding important to the district, including:
• 90 Two Way Transit and HOV improvements - $36.7 million;
• Grandparents raising grandchildren - $800,000;
• Housing teens aging out of the foster care system - $1 million; and
• For nonprofits to produce affordable housing  - $800,000.