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The $640,000 the state invested in the La Conner Swinomish Library, is only the project closest to home for greater La Conner residents. Before the state legislature adjourned its 60 day session March 10, it passed three budgets: capital, operating and transportation.

Rep. Greg Gilday, R-Camano Island, a member of the House Capital Budget Committee, noted, “Unlike other state spending plans, the capital budget is truly bipartisan – proving that lawmakers from across the ideological spectrum can come to a consensus that benefits all Washingtonians.”

Gilday and Rep. Dave Paul, D-Oak Harbor, highlighted five Skagit County projects totaling over $5.3 million. The largest by far is the $4 million for the Mount Vernon Library Commons project. In addition to housing the new downtown library, the complex will include community center space, a parking garage and transit stop.

The La Conner library investment is 12% of the funds. Camp Korey, east of Lake McMurray, gets $330,000 to improve its telemedicine services. Also in Mount Vernon, the Northwest Career and Technical Academy receives $250,000 and $100,000 is for a pump station modernization project.

The $17 billion, 15 year transportation budget has many county projects, including $14,000,000 to fully fund a new Guemes Ferry.

There are millions of dollars in projects in legislative districts 39, eastern Skagit County, and 40, north Skagit County and millions of dollars in capital and transportation projects, many of them environmental oriented and replacing fish culverts.

One million dollars is dedicated for Skagit River salmon recovery efforts.

Additionally, as Paul, a member of the House Transportation Committee, noted, $1.6 billion will build four new hybrid electric ferries and allow the recruitment and training of ferry personnel. There are also dedicated funds to help Running Start students attending Skagit Valley College and other schools.