← Back

Washington State Passes Capital Budget and Hirst Fix

On the evening of January 19, 2018 members of the Washington State Legislature in Olympia were able to come to an agreement on the Hirst Decision, which in turn smoothed over the process to pass the Washington State Capital Budget.

The passage of Senate Bill 6091 will have many effects on Grant County. “The bill provides a path forward for people who just want to build on their few acres,” said Senator Judy Warnick who was the lead negotiator. The original passage of the Hirst Bill put restrictions on the new wells that could be drilled in Washington, effecting economic development in rural Washington.

Many projects in Grant County will be able to start now that the Washington State Capital Budget has been also passed.

The City of Ephrata will be able to move forward with the $3.2 million waterline project along Basin Street; which was originally built in the 1950s.

The Port of Quincy’s road project into Industrial Park #5 can proceed forward. As well as the City of George’s waterline project into the same industrial park. These projects will be able to help attract more business into the area around the City of George.

Big Bend Community College’s Professional Technical Education Center has also been at the top of the list for capital projects to be funded by the state’s capital budget. Big Bend originally applied as was approved for the capital budget in 2014.

To learn more about the Hirst Decision and how that effected the state’s capital budget follow this link.