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A special $1 million appropriation to ensure smooth sailing for the Wahkiakum County Ferry is among the highlights of budget measures passed by the Washington Senate last week as lawmakers enter the final phase of their 2026 legislative session, a news release from Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, stated.
The special ferry appropriation was contained in the supplemental transportation budget approved in the Senate Friday. Also winning passage Friday was an operating budget that will take the state over $80 billion for the first time, as well as a capital construction budget that will finance projects across the state, the release reads.
Wilson said the transportation bill will restore a $150,000 cut to ferry funding made by lawmakers last year. Since 1992, the state has covered 85 percent of the ferry’s operating deficit.
“That ferry has saved the day for us so many times, I am glad we can return the favor,” Wilson said. “This might not sound like much, but in a small county like Wahkiakum, it has a big impact.”
Wilson obtained an appropriation in the Senate Transportation Committee that would restore the cut and provide a total $986,000 to cover the state’s share of the ferry deficit. The transportation budget passed the full Senate 49-0.
Also passing the Senate unanimously Friday was the supplemental capital budget, which finances brick-and-mortar construction and other public works projects using a combination of bonds and other sources of revenue.
Appropriations included in the Senate version of the budget for the 19th Legislative District:
• $6 million to modernize the historic Evaline School in Lewis County, one of the last operating two-room schools in Washington, which serves students from Kindergarten to sixth grade. Money will pay for HVAC upgrades and foundation and structural repairs.
• $3 million for improvements to David Story Field at Lower Columbia Community College.
• $250,000 to upgrade water mains on South Forest Street in Westport
• $50,000 for restoration of the Skamokawa Grange Hall in Wahkiakum County, defraying the cost of siding replacement and foundation repairs.
Wilson noted that the House version of the budget includes additional projects for the district, including a remodel of the 38th Avenue fire station in Longview and roof repairs for the Eagles Apartments in Raymond. Wilson said he hopes all will be accommodated in the final capital budget bill.
The Legislature’s three main budget bills now advance to the House for further consideration.
