Tag Archives: Washington State University

Senate unanimously approves capital budget ‘for the entire state’

The Senate today unanimously approved its version of the 2025-27 state capital budget, with the Republicans who helped develop the spending plan praising it for addressing needs throughout Washington.

“What we have is a capital budget for the entire state,” said 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, the lead Republican for the Senate capital budget. “We looked at this budget and saw fewer resources, so we made tougher decisions every step of the way, working on priorities that made both our side and our Democrat counterparts happy.

“This budget also leaves healthier reserves than we often have going into the second year of a biennium. When we come back next year, we can address unforeseen problems with those reserves.”

Schoesler’s full remarks prior to today’s vote may be viewed here.

“I’m really pleased with how well the Senate capital budget addresses needs throughout Washington,” said Sen. Perry Dozier, R-Waitsburg. He became assistant Republican leader on the capital-budget team this year, bringing government-budgeting experience from two terms as a Walla Walla County commissioner.

“We all made sure there is a lot of support for K-12 education, which is our state’s paramount duty, but this particular budget is also good for things like water projects, housing and fish hatcheries. That makes sense, if you look at the mix of backgrounds and priorities of the four senators who crafted it. I’m also glad we made progress on addressing some long-standing concerns about support for public-works projects.

“The capital budget has a reputation for being the most bipartisan of the three state budgets, and now I know why. We placed a lot of trust in one another in the course of developing this – each of us tried to be responsive to what the others brought to the table. That shows through in the budget itself and today’s unanimous vote.”

The Senate capital budget has a total price tag of $7.3 billion, with an ending-fund balance of $222 million.

It features $1 billion for K-12 education and early-learning projects, including $563 million for the School Construction Assistance Program. There is $201 million for Small District and Tribal School Modernization construction and planning grants, which will fund 40 additional small-school construction projects. Another $143 million is provided for additional school seismic-safety grants, plus $12 million for the new school security and preparedness infrastructure grants program.

The Senate capital budget spends $770 million on a variety of housing programs.

Schoesler and Dozier, both farmers, noted the state’s fairs benefit from this budget, which allocates a record $12 million for competitive grants to agricultural fairs for access- and safety-improvement projects.

The Senate capital budget also provides plenty of money for water-related needs on both sides of the Cascades, with robust funding for eastern Washington water-infrastructure programs. Those appropriations include $69 million for the Columbia River Water Supply Development Program, of which $44 million goes to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement Program, plus $53 million for the Yakima River Basin Water Supply Program and $13 million for the Yakima-Tieton Canal to start fixing damage to a wildfire.

In western Washington, $80 million is provided to fully fund the Chehalis River Basin Strategy, which includes flood control and salmon recovery.

There is also $85 million in the two-year plan for 15 fish hatcheries statewide – another record.

A total of $1.2 billion is allocated for projects at Washington’s four-year universities and other higher-education institutions. They include:

University of Washington: $40.8 million for Anderson Hall renovation.
Washington State University: $25 million for the Sciences Building, plus money for preventive facility maintenance and building-system repairs.
Central Washington University: $12 million for the emergency backup power system, $11 million for the university’s Humanities and Social Science Complex, and $10 million for an expansion of CWU’s aviation-degree program.
Eastern Washington University: $10 million for the dental-therapy lab, as well as funding for facility-preservation projects.
The state’s community and technical college system receives $400 million for various projects.

Once the House of Representatives passes its capital budget, budget writers from the Senate and House will meet as a “conference committee” to hammer out a compromise capital budget for both chambers to consider.

The 2025 legislative session is scheduled to end April 27.

2024 session week 8 video update

Schoesler says Senate capital budget good for state, 9th District projects

The version of the 2023-25 state capital budget unanimously passed today by the Senate would address both statewide needs and local projects, says 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.

“The Senate’s capital budget would respond to needs all throughout Washington, and provide funding for important projects in a wide variety of categories, from education and public safety to housing and water and more,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville and the Republican lead on the Senate capital budget. “I’m pleased this budget would support many projects that will help our colleges and universities, and I’m especially glad to see money for school seismic-safety grants, which is important since our state is in earthquake country. I’m also pleased by the funding for water-supply projects, which would benefit agriculture and other water users. The Senate’s capital budget takes a statewide approach, as it should, but it also funds several projects in the 9^th District.

“This is a true bipartisan capital budget in which Republicans and Democrats worked together for the good of Washington. I’m pleased with it both from a local perspective and how it would help the state overall,” added Schoesler, who has worked on the Senate capital budget since 2021.

The Senate capital budget would provide $1.2 billion for higher education, including funding for projects at Washington State University and Eastern Washington University, both in the 9^th District. It also would provide significant funding to water-supply projects in the Columbia, Yakima and Chehalis River basins.

The Senate plan also would offer funding for two State Patrol crime labs, as well as the construction of criminal justice training centers in Spokane, Bellingham and Clark County so that law-enforcement officers can receive needed training closer to home. The Senate spending plan also includes $625 million for housing-related investments.

The WSU projects include:

Engineering Student Success Building construction ($40 million)
Eastlick-Abelson Hall renovation ($22 million)
Infrastructure improvements at Knott Dairy Farm, source of the milk for Cougar Gold cheese ($10 million)
Bustad Hall renovation ($8 million)
Clean building standard energy efficiency improvements ($5 million)

The EWU projects include:

Science Department renovations ($58 million)
Minor preservation projects ($16.75 million)
Rozell Plant upgrade ($12 million)
Martin-Williamson Hall ($350,000)

Several small school districts in the 9^th District would receive funding from the Senate capital budget for planned projects:

Asotin/Anatone School District ($35,000)
Davenport School District ($25,000)
Garfield School District ($33,000)
Kahlotus School District ($38,000)
Oakesdale School District ($38,000)
Starbuck School District ($33,000)

Other school districts in the 9^th District receive Senate capital budget funding for actual projects:

Davenport School District ($2.186 million)
Dayton School District ($5 million)
Sprague School District ($5 million)

Two 9^th District projects would receive Heritage Capital Grant funding through the Senate capital budget:

Cheney Depot phase 4 work involving the train viewing platform ($22,000)
Pullman Depot Heritage Center restoration ($237,000)

Three projects in the district receive Washington Wildlife Recreation Program funding:

Zakarison Farmland protection ($249,000)
Asotin Creek Wildlife Area access points ($153,000)
Asotin Creek Wildlife Area campgrounds ($280,000)

There are four district projects that receive Youth Athletic Facilities funding:

Pomeroy ball field lighting installation ($350,000)
Pomeroy football field improvements ($350,000)
Colfax pool upgrade ($350,000)
Touchet Valley Golf Course irrigation ($143,000)

Other 9^th District projects funded by the Senate capital budget include:

Colfax Pool ($706,000)
Dishman Hills Conservancy Education Center site planning in Spokane ($46,000)
EWAM handicap parking improvement project in Pomeroy ($98,000)
Latah water system rehabilitation project ($180,000)
Lincoln County Fair and Livestock ($1 million)
Whitman County Fire Recovery ($961,000)
Ritzville Legion Hall renovation ($165,000)
Ritzville Theater ($75,000)
Washtucna Town Hall ($20,000)
Coyote Ridge Corrections Center’s modular building for health service staff ($428,000)

The House of Representatives will unveil its capital budget proposal next week. Once the House passes its budget plan, Schoesler will meet with other Senate and House capital budget writers to reach agreement on a final version before the legislative session ends on April 23.

Schoesler statement on death of former WSU football coach Mike Leach

State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, issued this statement in response to news that former Washington State University head football coach Mike Leach died Monday night in a Mississippi hospital following a massive heart attack.

“I had the privilege of meeting Mike Leach when he was the head coach at WSU. He was a great character in the world of college football and one of its most innovative and creative offensive minds. During his years as WSU’s head coach, his ‘Air Raid’ offense not only piled up yardage but it was very entertaining to watch. His success along the sideline was matched by his outspoken nature whenever he gave interviews. During his eight seasons in Pullman, he made the Cougars relevant. This is a sad day for Cougar Nation and college football fans. My thoughts and condolences go to his family, his current and former players and current and former assistant coaches.”

Leach was Washington State’s head coach from 2012 through 2019. During his eight seasons in Pullman, he led the Cougars to a 55-47 record. His most successful season was in 2018, when WSU finished with an 11-2 record and a win in the Alamo Bowl.

Leach left WSU and became the head coach at Mississippi State in 2020. In his three seasons at MSU, he compiled a 19-17 record. Prior to becoming Washington State’s coach, Leach coached 10 seasons at Texas Tech, where he had an 84-43 mark.

Schoesler is the state senator for the 9^th Legislative District, which includes Pullman, where WSU’s main campus is located.

Schoesler praises supplemental capital budget passed by Legislature

The state supplemental capital budget passed by the Legislature this week addresses both statewide needs and local projects, says 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, who worked with legislators from the Senate majority and House of Representatives to negotiate the final version of the budget.

“This is a true bipartisan capital budget in which Republicans and Democrats worked together for the good of Washington. It funds several projects in the 9^th District, and also makes good use of one-time federal dollars by providing funding for housing projects that will help local governments and organizations like Habitat for Humanity to address the homelessness situation in several communities across our state,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “I’m pleased with it both from a local perspective and how it will help the state overall.”

The capital budget includes $440 million in funding for grants and loans for affordable housing, including $300 million for rapid housing.

The 9^th District projects funded by the capital budget include:

Tekoa Junior/Senior High School ($3.385 million)
St. John School District ($2.459 million)
Pullman Student Success Center Phase 1 project on Washington State University’s Pullman campus ($2 million)
Port of Clarkston river-dredging project ($1.55 million)
Whelan Community Building in Pullman ($153,000)
Rimrock Grange renovation in Washtucna ($105,000)

Schoesler also ensured the capital budget update (Senate Bill 5651) funds a project in Almira, a Grant County community that will be in the 9^th District after the state’s new legislative district boundaries take effect later this year. Nearly $13 million is included to help fund the replacement of Almira Elementary School, which burned down last year.

The House of Representatives unanimously approved a compromise version of the capital budget last night. The Senate this morning also unanimously passed the spending proposal, which funds construction of state buildings and higher-education facilities, as well as other state and local projects. The capital budget now goes to Gov. Jay Inslee for final consideration.

Senate resolution sponsored by Schoesler honors work of Dr. Bill Schillinger

Dr. Bill Schillinger, the longtime researcher who ran Washington State University’s dryland research farm in Lind, was honored today on the Senate floor with a resolution sponsored by 9^th District Sen. Mark Schoesler.

Dr. Schillinger retired this January after a 29-year career working at the dryland research station. During his time there, the farm did groundbreaking research on how to combat wind erosion, including conservation-till and no-till farming methods; alternative crops to winter wheat and other extensive long-term research projects, and soil and residue management practices to increase water storage and efficient use of precipitation.

“For 30 years, Bill Schillinger has been the heart of research and agriculture at WSU Lind,” said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “The Lind research farm has the lowest rainfall and is the driest location in the United States. In that region, we don’t worry about how well something grows. The first question asked is, if it will grow. When someone talks about cool things like cover crops, we’re just hoping any crop will grow in that area.

“Bill has spent 30 years dedicated to working on problems that face us in dryland-wheat country. For example, wind erosion, something that benefits every one of us.

“During this period, Bill has enjoyed the enthusiastic support of myself and fellow growers, and our landlords. We created an endowment for the research farm. In just two weeks, we raised the necessary money to start it, and it’s prospered that we can stand on our two feet there with the support of the growers, the Washington Grain Commission and move agriculture forward, not just for ourselves but for the benefit of the state as a whole.

“It’s with sadness that we see Bill retiring but for all of the incredible work over 30 years, we wish Bill the very best and say ‘thank you.’”

Schoesler’s speech honoring Dr. Schillinger can be viewed here.

The text of Schoesler’s bipartisan Senate Resolution 8645, is here:

SENATE RESOLUTION 8645

By Senators Schoesler, Dozier, Frockt, Honeyford, King, Nobles, Wagoner, and Warnick

WHEREAS, Bill Schillinger grew up on a dryland wheat farm south of Odessa, Washington; and

WHEREAS, Bill Schillinger earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Eastern Washington University, and a master’s degree in Agronomy from the University of California, Davis, then worked for the United States Agency for International Development in Africa and Asia for 10 years, before returning to the United States to earn a PhD in Agronomy from Oregon State University; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schillinger began working at the Washington State University dryland research station in Lind, Washington on January 1, 1993; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schillinger was the principal investigator of three multidisciplinary long-term dryland and irrigated cropping systems experiments; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Schillinger’s long career there, the Washington State University dryland research station did groundbreaking research on combatting wind erosion, including conservation-till and no-till farming methods; alternative crops to winter wheat and other extensive long-term research projects, including a cropping systems study 25 years in the making and a winter pea study that is in its 12th year; and soil and residue management practices to increase water storage and efficient use of precipitation; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Schillinger published many articles about the research he and others did at the Washington State University dryland research station; and

WHEREAS, Bill Schillinger has devoted his professional life to helping farmers flourish on the low amount of precipitation that much of eastern Washington receives each year; and

WHEREAS, Bill Schillinger retired on January 7, 2022, after 29 years as a scientist and director at the Washington State University dryland research station.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor Doctor Bill Schillinger on his long career, during which he significantly helped many Washington farmers and our state’s agriculture industry.

— END —

Legislature passes capital budget that provides strong broadband funding

The Senate yesterday voted 49-0 to approve a compromise two-year state capital budget. The $6.3 billion spending plan provides a record $413 million toward the expansion of broadband access in Washington.

The House of Representatives voted 98-0 today to pass the capital budget, House Bill 1080.

Sen. Mark Schoesler, who helped negotiate the 2021-23 capital budget agreement, said the emphasis on broadband needs is especially important for the 9th District and other rural parts of the state.

“For many communities in our district and other rural areas, insufficient broadband is a real problem,”: said Schoesler, R-Ritzville. “This final budget provides over $400 million to help address it. Better broadband in rural Washington will help students relying on the internet and help small businesses that want to engage in e-commerce. It is also critical to precision farming. This will help put rural and unserved areas of our state on a more equal footing with more populated areas of Washington.”

The capital budget provides a total of $55.4 million in funding for several projects in the 9th District:

Local and community projects:

Adams County property/evidence processing facility in Othello – $900,000
Esther’s Home in Pasco – $1 million
Garfield Pool upgrade – $500,000
Wheat Land Fairgrounds (Ritzville) grounds improvement, including upgraded restroom and shower facilities and Americans With Disabilities Act compliance – $150,000
Ritzville downtown improvements – $105,000
Asotin Masons Hall – $20,000

Infrastructure projects:

Malden USDA water – $247,000
Othello water conservation system – $515,000

Department of Commerce projects:

Port of Pasco’s Reimann Industrial Corridor Center – $7.5 million

2021-23 small school district and tribal compact schools modernization:

Garfield School District – $5.224 million
Palouse School District – $4.63 million
St. John School District – $2.459 million
Tekoa Junior/Senior High School – $3.385 million

Washington State University:

Campus fire protection and domestic water reservoir – $8 million
Clark Hall research lab renovation – $4.9 million
Johnson Hall replacement – $8 million
Minor capital preservation – $5.497 million
WSU Pullman STEM teaching labs – $2.5 million

State Historical Society – heritage capital grant projects:

Gladish Community and Cultural Center roof replacement – $120,000
LaCrosse Rocks! A Heritage Center on the National Geologic Trail – $131,000
Pullman Depot Heritage Center – $266,000

Columbia River water supply development program:

Quad Cities (City of West Richland/Richland/Kennewick/Pasco) – $2 million
Odessa ground water replacement program – $21 million

Eastern Washington clean sites initiatives:

Pasco Landfill – $300,000

State Parks and Recreation Commission:

Lyons Ferry State Park campground reestablishment
Palouse Falls State Park day-use area renovation

Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Removal Board:

Cougar Creek – $485,000

Washington wildlife recreation grants:

Leland conservation easement – $770,000
Leland farmland preservation easement – $241,000
Lions Park Pride Rock Playground in Othello – $500,000

Youth athletic facilities:

Clarkston Club athletic field renovation – $334,000
Lions Park basketball zone in Othello – $350,000
Colfax Pool mechanical room renovation – $75,000
The Pit youth facilities – $33,000

Schoesler pointed out the capital budget also provides the state Department of Agriculture with $8 million to award competitive grants to state agricultural fairs for access and safety improvement projects.

The 2021 legislative session is scheduled to end Sunday.

Schoesler pleased SR-26 passing lane project funded in final transportation budget

Washington State University students and other members of “Cougar Nation” will be among those benefiting from a passing-lane project for State Route 26 that is accelerated in the new two-year state transportation budget passed by the Senate today, said 9th District Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.

The 2019-21 transportation budget provides $11.15 million for the project, which will add climbing lanes on SR-26 between Dusty and Colfax in Whitman County.

“There has been a real need for climbing lanes along this stretch of Highway 26 because of how unsafe it is for drivers to pass due to limited visibility caused by hills. Adding these climbing lanes will make trips on this part of the highway much safer for drivers,” said Schoesler, who noted construction could begin as early as next year.

“Seventy percent of the students who go to WSU come from western Washington,” said Schoesler during his floor speech in support of the final version of the transportation budget. “Their safety and Coug Nation’s safety is important when they come to Pullman for Dad’s Weekend, Mom’s Weekend or the Apple Cup. Hopefully, when folks come over to the 2020 Apple Cup, they’ll be able to see the completed passing lanes.”

Schoesler praised Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson for organizing a grass-roots effort to secure funding for the SR-26 climbing lanes. Schoesler also lauded Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, and Yakima Sen. Curtis King, the committee’s ranking Republican, for moving up the project’s timeline so it can be completed sooner.

Schoesler joined the rest of the Senate Sunday in voting 49-0 to approve the final version of the state transportation budget. The House passed the final transportation budget 96-2 today.

Schoesler supports SR-26 passing lane project in Senate transportation budget

Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, is applauding the 2019-21 Senate transportation budget’s inclusion of an $11.15 million project that would add climbing lanes on State Route 26 between Dusty and Colfax in Whitman County.

“I’m very pleased to see the Senate budget not only includes funding for the climbing lanes on SR-26, but it would provide all $11 million-plus for this project in the 2019-21 budget period, which means construction could begin as early as next year if the House agrees with the Senate’s funding timeline for this project,” said Schoesler.

“There has been a real need for climbing lanes along this stretch of Highway 26 because it currently is very unsafe for drivers to pass due to limited visibility caused by hills. Adding climbing lanes will make trips on this part of the highway safer for WSU students and area residents,” added Schoesler, who praised Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson for organizing a grass-roots effort to secure funding for climbing lanes on SR-26. Schoesler also lauded Senate Transportation Committee Chair Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, and Yakima Sen. Curtis King, the committee’s ranking Republican, for moving up the project’s timeline so it can be completed sooner.

Schoesler joined the rest of the Senate Thursday in voting 47-0 to approve the Senate transportation budget, which was amended onto the House budget, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1160. Because the Senate amended its own transportation budget onto the House version, Senate and House transportation budget leaders are expected to meet to work out differences as the 2019 legislative session nears its April 28 completion date.