Transportation Budget Earmarks Road Work

Thu., Feb. 15, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

While House and Senate budgeteers were beginning their battle over the state operating budget Wednesday, the House was quietly passing a $152 million transportation budget.

The measure, drafted by the Republican-controlled Transportation Committee, had bipartisan support, passing 73-23. The Democratic Senate is expected to propose a similar budget, with negotiators later working out the differences.

The money amounts to about a 5 percent increase to the main $3.3 billion transportation budget approved last May.

House Transportation Chairwoman Karen Schmidt, R-Bainbridge Island, said the new budget squeezes money from the Department of Transportation administration and pays for needed highway projects.

The plan provides $17 million for what Schmidt called “the most critical highway improvement projects across the state.” They include projects in Spokane.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.