![]() How many people do you know who have been able to double their own budgets in the past 10 years? As you can see in the chart above, spending in the state operating budget has more than doubled in the past 10 years and has even risen above inflation. ![]() The final 2023-25 operating budget spends $69.77 billion. Even though I am the assistant ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, the majority party did not share final operating budget information with us until the day before we voted on the 1,404 page bill. While we were pleased that both parties worked together in a bipartisan way on the capital and transportation budgets, it was disappointing Republicans were completely shut out of building a new two-year state operating budget. The final plan prioritizes projects already under way for completion before shifting funding to new projects, ensuring there are no delays. The governor's transportation proposal would have delayed projects that have been in the works for years. In the 25th District, just over $925 million is appropriated for projects for the coming biennium, including $873 million for the Puget Sound Gateway projects (new freeway from Puyallup to Tacoma – SR 167/SR 509), and $13.5 million for congestion relief on SR 167/SR 410 to SR 18. This year's transportation proposal spends $13.5 billion, providing $10 billion for the Washington State Department of Transportation, $1.3 billion for Washingtonian State Ferries, $650 million for Washington State Patrol, and $431 million for the Department of Licensing. The transportation budget pays for transportation activities, such as designing and maintaining roads, and public transit. To view these and our other 25th District capital budget projects, go to this link, make sure the version is the “As Passed Legislature (),” choose the 25th Legislative District from the drop-down menu, and click the “View Report” button.
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