The 2020 legislative session has adjourned sine die.

The Legislature capped its session with the health and safety of our constituents at the forefront of every legislator’s mind. The COVID-19 outbreak is an unprecedented challenge to our state, and we have taken definitive steps to help address the outbreak.

Today, on the last day of session, we passed a bill to provide $200 million in emergency funding to the State Department of Health and local public health organizations so the people working to keep us safe and healthy have the resources they need.

The governor’s office has set up a website with a wealth of information on both the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak where you can learn about best practices to avoid the virus and ways the state can help households experiencing financial hardship due to the outbreak.

I sat down with TVW on the final day of the session to discuss COVID-19 and other issues before the Legislature this year.

A balanced, responsible budget

The supplemental operating budget also passed the Legislature today. It is a responsible budget that makes critical investments while leaving more than $3 billion in the ending fund balance to help weather any economic downturn we may see.

Investments include:

  • Very significant policy and funding to address our state’s affordable housing and homelessness crises
  • Increased investments to improve access to quality early learning and childcare
  • K-12 education investments, including additional counselors in high poverty schools and special education
  • Support for public health and hospitals and increased reimbursement rates for behavioral health and primary care providers

The capital budget

The supplemental capital budget investments are focused on building infrastructure throughout our state. Here are some highlights for Spokane:

  • Transitions TLC, transitional housing renovations (North Spokane)
  • If You Could Save Just One building acquisition (Hillyard)
  • Proclaim Liberty early learning center expansion (Perry District)
  • Waikiki Springs land acquisition (North Spokane/Waikiki)
  • Housing Trust Fund (statewide projects)

The transportation budget

The Legislature passed a supplemental transportation budget to keep our state moving despite the revenue shortfall created by I-976 and make it possible for the governor to restart paused projects like the North South Corridor. It also funds regional mobility grants for projects like the Spokane-Cheney High Performance Transit Corridor. This budget is a one year solution. Next year, the full impact of I-976 will hit our state, creating funding challenges in just about every part of the transportation budget.

What’s next?

Thank you to our team (from left: Alicia, Kate, and Noelle) for a successful session helping me serve the constituents of the 3rd Legislative District!

Now that we have finished the legislative session, we will return to Spokane. We look forward to being back home meeting with constituents and getting out in the community to hear from you.

And as always, stay in touch.

Onward!

Andy