The budgets approved by the Legislature this year brought significant investments to the 30th Legislative District, which includes Federal Way, Algona, Pacific, Milton, Des Moines and Auburn.

“I’m proud to have supported and advocated for investments that will make life in our district better, from improving programs that increase equity and support our youth, to fostering community development and addressing the unique transportation struggles we experience in our district,” said Sen. Claire Wilson (D-Auburn).

Highlights of the investments that affect the district communities in each budget are listed below.

The operating budget pays for the day-to-day operations of state government and government-funded programs. Some highlights for this district include:

  • $75,000 for capacity building for BIPOC Federal Way organizations that serve youth.
  • $350,000 for the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce.
  • $500,000 for Federal Way Public Schools Pre-Apprenticeship Pathways.
  • $250,000 for El Centro de La Raza’s Afterschool and Summer Learning Program in Federal Way.

The capital budget allows the state to acquire and maintain state buildings, public schools, higher education facilities, public lands, parks and other assets. This budget is sometimes referred to as the “construction budget.” This year, projects in the 30th District include:

  • $515,00 for the Stewart St. Bridge in Pacific.
  • $3 million for the Redondo Heights Workforce Housing Project to renovate 132 units and create 130 new affordable housing units.
  • $82,000 for the planning and development of a new Federal Way youth resource center, which is crucial to meet the needs of our youth, prevent them from entering the criminal legal system, and reduce the disproportionate amount of BIPOC youth in our juvenile justice system;
  • $75,000 for the Health Care for the Homeless Network kiosks program, which helps eliminate barriers to accessing physical and behavioral health care and provides wraparound social supports for unsheltered individuals and other people who are underserved in South King County;
  • $200,000 to expand the Federal Way Little League fields.
  • $1 million in funding for the YMCA of Greater Seattle’s purchase and preserve the 25-acre Camp Kilworth property for recreation and environmental education.
  • $300,000 for the City of Des Moines to start reconstructing and reopening the Redondo Fishing Pier.

The transportation budget pays for transportation activities such as designing and maintaining roads and public transit. Because traffic is a major challenge in our district, it’s especially important for us.  Some of the investments in this year’s transportation budget are:

  • $129 million to reduce traffic congestion on SR 167 to SR 18.
  • $15 million to improve the SR 18 eastbound off ramp.
  • $85 million for improvements in the I-5, SR 18, SR 161 triangle.
  • $300,000 for improvements on S. 314th Street in Federal Way.
  • $1.1 million to expand driver’s licensing support for foster youth. These services include reimbursement of driver’s license issuance costs, driver education fees, and liability insurance costs.
  • $405,000 for construction of a trailhead and parking area for users to access the Milton Interurban Trail.
  • $1.8 million to finish the City of Pacific Interurban Trail expansion.