Larsen shapes annual spending bills to support NW Washington families and communities

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, July 20, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to pass H.R. 8294, a package of six government funding bills that will help families and communities in Northwest Washington and across the country. The legislation passed the House by a final vote of 220 to 207 and now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in local communities to create well-paying jobs and provide vital services in Northwest Washington,” said Larsen. “This spending bill makes those critical investments while also improving health care for veterans, supporting Northwest Washington specialty crop producers, protecting the environment and more.”

The package also includes funding Larsen secured in the House-passed legislation for 13 projects in the Second District:

Investing in Northwest Washington’s Outdoor Economy:

• $5,280,000 for the Town to Zylstra Lake Multi-Modal Trail to support the construction of about 2.5 miles of paved trail for pedestrians and bicyclists from the town of Friday Harbor to Zylstra Lake Preserve
• $750,000 for the Mother Nature’s Window Park Project to reopen and develop Mother Nature’s Window, a 35-acre park site in central Marysville with parking, fencing, open play areas, an off-leash dog area, a small amphitheater, trails and restrooms
• $750,000 for the Tommy Thompson Trail Trestle and Causeway Replacement Design to provide preliminary engineering to help the Samish Indian Nation design and construct the Tommy Thompson Trail to replace the trestle and 770 creosote pilings, remove the current causeway and provide non-motorized recreational access to the trail

Investing in People in Northwest Washington:

• $3,000,000 for the Lynnwood Neighborhood Center to help Volunteers of America (VOA) construct a new 40,000-square-foot facility which would include early learning and youth programs, medical, dental, vision and mental health services, job training and small business development, adult education classes, immigration assistance, senior engagement and socialization, veteran and military family services, cultural programs, a VOA Community Resource Center for basic needs referrals/services and other community services
• $2,000,000 for the Habitat for Humanity of Island County Retail Store, Warehouse and Administrative Office Purchase to enable Habitat for Humanity of Island County (HFHIC) to obtain ownership of its leased space, removing the burden of more than $10,000 per month in lease fees and securing the long-term viability of HFHIC

Investing in Northwest Washington Infrastructure:

• $3,654,893 for the 169th Street Connecting Segment to enable the City of Arlington to complete a missing roadway segment of 169th Street that will link the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC) to Smokey Point Boulevard
• $3,000,000 for the Grove Street Overcrossing to help the City of Marysville build a new overcrossing at the BNSF mainline on Grove Street between Cedar and State Avenues, eliminating significant congestion and lengthy traffic backups due to train traffic
• $3,000,000 for Snohomish County Culverts to replace two culverts on Trickle Creek in Bothell and Lake Martha Creek in Stanwood to improve fish passage and repair roadway damage
• $2,000,000 for the Alger I-5 Waterline Relocation to support the design and partial relocation of Skagit Public Utility District’s water line crossing I-5 at Alger
• $2,000,000 for the Whatcom Transportation Authority 2011 Fixed Route Diesel to Electric Replacement Project to enable WTA to upgrade three diesel buses to three electrical buses and obtain three chargers and their installation
• $1,950,000 for the City of Oak Harbor Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) Correction Program to help the City of Oak Harbor renew the integrity of leaky mainlines which the city identified as its highest priority for wastewater infrastructure
• $1,744,328 for the 44th Avenue West Underpass Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project to replace the current existing dark and narrow 44th Ave Underpass with a 10-12′ shared use pathway, providing a better connection to public transit at the Lynnwood City Center Station for pedestrians and bicyclists
• $650,000 for the Port of Friday Harbor Barge and Access Road to help the Port of Friday Harbor reconstruct its existing landing and access road for a barge landing

The House-passed legislation includes several of Larsen’s amendments to:

• Improve Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) phone systems by developing an automatic callback feature
• Draw attention to the need for investment in sustainable aviation fuel
• Highlights the importance of the Specialty Crops Research Initiative in addressing the needs of the specialty crop industry through research and extension activities

A detailed summary of the spending package is available here.