Legislature Passes State Capital Budget

The state Senate and House of Representatives reached a milestone last night in approving the state’s 2017-19 capital budget and accompanying bond funding bill. This move will have impacts throughout the state and comes after a compromise was reached related to water rights and a 2016 state Supreme Court ruling known as the Hirst decision. Legislative approval ends a lengthy stalemate in which the Legislature adjourned in 2017 without a biennial capital budget for the first time in state history during an odd-numbered year. The approved budget now heads to the Governor’s desk where it is expected to be signed into law.

The new capital budget supports construction projects throughout the state, including projects of high importance on Western’s campus. The new budget includes the following funding for WWU’s capital priorities:

• $6 million in design funding for a Sciences Building;
• $6.65 million for Classroom and Lab Upgrades;
• $6.179 million for Minor Works Preservation Projects;
• $3.614 million for Maintenance and Repairs;
• $1.5 million for Access Control Security Upgrades; and
• $3.188 million for Elevator Preservation Safety and ADA Upgrades.

With capital funding in place, WWU can now begin work on much-needed projects that will strengthen the campus and allow Western to better serve students, faculty, staff, and the greater community.