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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Spin Control

WA Lege Day 86: Capital budget hearing in a.m., protests in p.m.

OLYMPIA -- The House Capital Budget, a $3.3 billion spending plan for major state construction projects, has a hearing first thing this morning where folks left out get a chance to ask for reconsideration and those who are in are scrupulous about saying "thanks."

When one university lobbyist didn't show up to the mcrophone when his name was called, Dunshee quipped: "Guess he doesn't care that we found some money for him." One of the other universiy's lobbyist ducked out into the hall and called the errant spokesman in.

Chris Mulick of Washington State University said the institution was particularly appreciative of the money -- $35 million in the second year of the biennium -- for the Biomedical and Health Sciences facility, aka the Spokane med school, in the House capital spending plan. (It's not in the governor's plan.) It would be "a facility of statewide significance as we go about training a new wave of health care professionals," Mulick said.

Those who want reconsideration for a particular construction project are apt to stress the number of jobs said project will generate and the stimulating effects to the economy as well as the beneficial civic impacts before closing with some version of  "On to the Senate." The other chamber is expected to release its capital and general fund budgets early next week.

Those curious about what's in the House Capital Budget proposal can get the details by clicking here.

Otherwise, the hearing schedule is light and both the House and Senate are scheduled for floor sessions most of the day.

Groups protesting budget cuts to state programs and salaries begin four days of protests today with the Olympia Coalition for a Fair Budget set to bring a few hundred local activists to the Capitol steps around noon and the rotunda later in the afternoon.



Jim Camden
Jim Camden joined The Spokesman-Review in 1981 and retired in 2021. He is currently the political and state government correspondent covering Washington state.

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