Sen. Matt Boehnke and Reps. April Connors and Stephanie Barnard secured key investments for the 8th District and the Tri-Cities region in the 2026 supplemental capital budget, building on major investments in last year’s budget and bringing total funding for the biennium to more than $100 million.
In a joint statement, the lawmakers said:
“In the 8th District and throughout the Tri-Cities region, the capital budget reflects long-term investment in the places and services that shape daily life. From housing and behavioral health to schools, community facilities, infrastructure and public spaces, these are the kinds of investments that will help our communities meet current needs and plan for future growth.
“Securing more than $100 million in funding took persistence, coordination, and a clear focus on local priorities. We worked to ensure the 8th District had a strong voice throughout the process, resulting in investments that support recovery housing, expand access to health and community services, improve public facilities and parks, and strengthen critical infrastructure.
“Some of these investments are already moving forward, and the 2026 supplemental capital budget builds on that progress with additional support for projects across our region. Together, these investments will strengthen communities, support local jobs, improve safety and reliability, and help ensure the 8th District and the Tri-Cities region continue to grow in a way that serves families, workers and future generations.”
2026 supplemental capital budget investments
8th District projects
- $1.5 million – West Richland homeownership project with Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity to construct 18 affordable, owner-occupied townhome duplexes
- $309,000 – Toyota Center HVAC system and security upgrades
- $93,000 – Kennewick Activity Center asbestos abatement
Regional projects supporting the 8th District
- $3.2 million – Twin Bridges Road tire pile cleanup (16th LD)
- $1.5 million – Finley School District high school HVAC replacement, including water-source heat pumps (14th LD)
- $1 million – Pasco Regional Police Academy improvements (14th LD)
- $600,000 – City of Richland fiber hut HVAC replacement, supporting critical broadband infrastructure for city operations and school districts (16th LD)
- $447,000 – Kennewick Irrigation District main canal lining (16th LD)
- $258,000 – Pasco Symbiosis Park North American analysis (14th LD)
- $258,000 – Pasco Reimann Expansion engineering master plan (16th LD)
- $150,000 – Richland Transitional Veterans Home renovation of shared living spaces, including kitchens and bathrooms (16th LD)
2025-27 capital budget investments
8th District projects
- $3.8 million – Three Rivers Recovery Housing project
- $750,000 – Columbia Park East boat launch replacement
- $515,000 – Road 80 Neighborhood Park development
- $341,000 – Tri-Cities Food Bank distribution and storage improvements
- $309,000 – Municipal Services Facility backup power generator
- $280,000 – Tri-Tech Skills Center rooftop unit HVAC replacement
- $88,000 – Tri-Cities Community Health facility improvements
Regional projects supporting the 8th District
- $54.5 million – Columbia Basin College performing arts center replacement (16th LD)
- $18 million – Columbia Basin College student housing construction (16th LD)
- $4 million – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory test bed (16th LD)
- $2.1 million – Boys & Girls Club facility in Prosser (15th LD)
- $1.4 million – Boys & Girls Club facility in Pasco (14th LD)
- $1.1 million – Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program expansion grant for Prosser School District (15th LD)
- $1 million – Columbia Basin Health Association improvements (16th LD)
- $1 million – Benton Rural Electric Association wildfire resilience project (15th LD)
- $1 million – Mid-Columbia Children’s Museum improvements (16th LD)
- $927,000 – Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center renovation and expansion (14th LD)
- $773,000 – Port of Walla Walla storage capacity expansion (16th LD)
- $700,000 – Grid-scale coordination project (16th LD)
The state’s capital budget funds long-term infrastructure and construction projects across Washington, including schools, higher education facilities, behavioral health institutions, housing, parks, water systems and other public infrastructure.
The 2025-27 capital budget invests $7.6 billion statewide, and the 2026 supplemental capital budget adds $890 million for new projects, funding adjustments and emerging needs.