WA budget includes big bucks for area projects
By Terry Murry on Thursday, April 27th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
OLYMPIA – The Washington Legislature this weekend approved the $8.98 billion 2023-25 state capital budget. Of that, $42 million will be going to designated projects in Benton and Walla Walla counties.
There is $12 million for the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Funding is provided to construct a new roof and roof-top heating ventilation and air-conditioning equipment on Unit 6 at the prison.
The Washington Legislature approved $5 million for the Three Rivers Behavioral Health Center in Kennewick. Located in the former Kennewick General Hospital facility, the center will provide comprehensive behavioral health services to persons in mental health crisis or suffering from substance use disorder, with or without co-occurring mental health disorders. These services include, but are not limited to treatment assessment, medical withdrawal management, residential inpatient treatment, aftercare planning, and pediatric transition services.
Finally, $4.7 million is dedicated to the environmental impact statement and bi-state (Oregon and Washington) flow study for the Walla Walla Water 2050 Initiative – and the effort to improve stream flows and water supplies in the Walla Walla River Basin over the next 30 years.
