Library funds in state budget

The Washington state legislature plans to provide at least $700,000 for a new La Conner Regional Library. Last Friday the House included $720,000 in the capital budget it passed. The Senate capital budget lists $700,000, which Library and local officials had requested.

On Monday, District 10 Senator Barbara Bailey called the Senate’s figure “the minimum. That’s what I asked for.” In an interview, she said “we are going to be negotiating toward the $720,000.”

District 10 Position 1 Rep. Norma Smith noted the long-term local efforts to fund the new library, saying “it can’t be built without community support.”

She praised the core group of people with the vision and commitment to advocate for the project. “The state wants to come alongside communities like this and get them over the top,” she said.

As the assistant ranking minority member on the House Capital Budget Committee, Smith has a key role.

Rep. Dave Paul, District 10 Position 2, said, “It’s good news that it is in both budgets.” He noted that Senator Bailey advocated for it in the Senate. Paul said he would reach out to Senate Democrats for funding matching the House amount.

The House legislation also extends the $500,000 appropriated in 2018 that would have expired June 30.

Library Foundation Director Susan Macek’s funding plan shows over $2 million of the $3.74 million project funded with these allocations. Local donations are almost $1.2 million to date.

Like Mayor Ramon Hayes, Macek is counting on a $500,000 grant from Skagit County. “We are partnering with the Town to submit an economic development grant,” she said, noting the Town will apply into a competitive grant process.

The application promotes the library as a resource supporting job creation and business retention. Macek echoed Hayes, saying “the library supports family wage jobs in our community.

She agrees with Hayes and Town Administrator Scott Thomas that the new building is positioned at the entrance into La Conner and will add to the “viability of Morris Street.”

Macek also stressed the importance of local financial commitments. Even a dollar purchase at the library thrift store or a donation of books has made a difference, she said.

Macek also noted: “We still have a lot of work to do.”