Budget Areas

Overview Community Safety Education Health Care Human Services Housing Jobs, Labor &
Economic Development Transportation Natural Resources Veterans Affairs Government Accountability, Openness & Security Disaster Response & Recovery Capital Construction Governmental Operations

Related Links

2008 Proposed Budget Recommendation Summaries Activity Inventory & Performance Measures Six-Year Transportation Plans Appropriations Bills

Disaster Response & Recovery

Expands the Housing Trust Fund. Additional funding will be included for the Housing Trust Fund to carry out its important work. Up to $10 million of the funding increase will be prioritized for victims of the recent storms. ($10 million Capital)

Issues bonds for flood control infrastructure. Bond authorization will be sought for the state’s portion of the Chehalis-Centralia Flood Control Project. This project is a partnership among local government, the state of Washington and the federal government. It will be led by the Washington State Department of Transportation. ($50 million Capital)

Deposits into the Disaster Response Account. In an effort to move as quickly as possible, the state is setting aside the matching funding required to access Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance once it becomes available. Appropriation authority of $15 million will be sought for the 25 percent match required by FEMA. This includes providing funds to local governments to assist them with their match requirements. ($12 million Public Safety and Education Account, $3 million Nisqually Earthquake Account)

Uses the Governor’s Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account. An allocation of $2 million from this account will make immediate assistance available so that small businesses in hard-hit areas of the state can recover more quickly from the 2007 floods and storms. For example, these funds can pay for public infrastructure to support or sustain business, relocation assistance or environmental analysis. In addition, the supplemental budget requests $6 million to replenish the account. ($6.0 million Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account)

Activates the National Guard. The National Guard is at the front line whenever a disaster occurs. The immediate response of the Guard saved lives and prevented untold damage from occurring. ($543,000 GF-State, $543,000 GF-Federal)