Dear friends and neighbors,

We are entering the final few weeks of this year’s legislative session in Olympia and the pace is picking up. In the coming days, we will release the Senate’s operating budget proposal, funding everything from public health and affordable housing to environmental protection and public schools. I’ll be sure to share more details about the operating budget in the coming weeks.

Community investments

Funding for several Kitsap projects are included in the Senate’s proposed capital construction budget, which was released this week. It includes funding for parks, community facilities, affordable housing and homelessness prevention, and land restoration and conservation. I am especially excited about funding to revitalize the Eglon Forest, located near Kingston. Stay tuned for the final version of the budget, which will be released as we near the end of the legislative session at the end of April. Here are some highlights:

  • $2 million for the Mills Crossing affordable housing project in Bremerton.
  • $412,000 to help complete a new Veterinary Lifesaving Center and Community Clinic in Silverdale.
  • $300,000 to help the Poulsbo Historical Society complete the purchase of 1908 Nilsen-Sonju House.
  • $300,000 for repairs and improvements to Bremerton’s Glenn Jarstad Aquatic Center.
  • $412,000 to help complete a new 22-room medical respite center to serve homeless people who are discharged from the hospital, and help them transition to a more stable housing situation.
  • $7. 3 million to protect and preserve 640 acres of the Eglon property near Kingston.
  • $1.8 million to expand the Rockaway Bluff Preserve on Bainbridge Island.

Great to see you!

Thanks to everyone who attended one of the town hall meetings last week in Bremerton and Bainbridge Island. We had a robust discussion at both events and I was pleased to see so many familiar faces. I sincerely appreciate your participation and dedication to making Kitsap and better place to live.

Thanks Izzy and Clark

I continue to be impressed by the students from our community who choose to serve in the Senate’s Page Program. Izzy Soltanzadeh, a junior at Bainbridge High School, helped out in our office earlier this month and Clark Morber, an eighth grader at Hyla Middle School in Bainbridge Island, spent his week at the Legislature in February.

Thanks for taking the time to read this newsletter and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Christine.Rolfes@leg.wa.gov with any questions about issues before the Legislature this year.

Sincerely,

Christine