OLYMPIA…More than $70 million for projects in the 20th Legislative District is included in the Senate versions of the proposals for the 2025-27 supplemental capital and transportation budgets, which were released this week.
Both budgets were cowritten by bipartisan teams and would pay for local priorities such as flood response, public-school modernization, and improvements to Interstate 5 through Lewis County.
Sen. John Braun, R-Centralia, hopes the projects will make it into the final versions of the budgets that are passed by the Legislature in the final two weeks of the 2026 legislative session.
“These investments reflect the priorities I hear about every day across the 20th District, centered around improving our local infrastructure and quality of life,” said Braun. “When we work together and focus on practical needs, we can deliver results.
“I’m particularly pleased that the capital budget includes funding to replace part of the Carlisle Lake Dam to make it safer for residents in Onalaska and downstream in the Chehalis watershed. The project also benefits a unique career and technical education program at Onalaska High School where students raise Rainbow Trout and release them into the lake every year.”
The Senate capital budget proposal includes $1,545,000 for the Carlisle Lake Dam safety project.
“Our communities send tax dollars to Olympia with the expectation that we’ll invest them wisely. These projects address public safety, transportation, and economic development needs that matter to families and employers in our district. I’m hopeful that they will remain in the final versions.”
Senate and House leaders on each of the two budgets will negotiate the final versions, which both chambers will need to pass before the last day of the legislative session – March 12. Afterward, both budgets will head to the governor’s desk for a signature.
CAPITAL BUDGET
The state capital budget funds the construction, renovation and repair of public buildings and facilities, including schools, universities, behavioral health facilities, housing projects, water systems, and other community services.
20th Legislative District projects in the Senate proposal:
- SW Washington Fairgrounds surface and drainage improvement = $30,000
- Yacolt Community Center = $270,000
- Flood response = $1.545 million
- New security doors/locks for resident sleeping rooms at Green Hill School = $1.8 million
- Public school modernization
- Green Mountain (construction) = $6 million
- Napavine (planning) = $40,000
- Family Forest Fish Passage Program = $4.2 million
- Port of Woodland = $5,000
Total: $13,898,000
TRANSPORTATION BUDGET
The transportation budget funds highway construction and preservation, ferry operations, public transportation grants, and transportation safety projects to help move people and goods efficiently and safely throughout the state.
20th Legislative District projects in the Senate proposal:
- Improvements to I-5 corridor through Lewis County = $2.393 million
- Improvements to I-5 corridor through southwest Washington = $25.63 million
- Regional transit grants = $4.023 million
- Public transportation rideshare program = $1.205 million
- Twin Transit e-transit station = $580,000
- “Connecting Washington” – north Lewis County industrial access = $14.188 million
Total: $56,450,000