OLYMPIA -- Senate Democrats on Wednesday proposed to give Columbia Basin College $21.2 million for a vocational building where workers would be trained for jobs in renewable energy.
That project was among $1 billion in proposed spending for buildings on college and university campuses and comes just two days after the Senate said it would cut $513 million in operating money for higher education in the upcoming 2009-11 biennium.
But Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown said the cuts to operating money are temporary, while the building projects invest in the future.
"We plan to come out of this economic recession, and when we do it will be great for our institutions to have these facilities in place," said Brown, D-Spokane.
By contrast, the House capital budget included $642 million for higher education facilities, but also funds the replacement of CBC's vocational building. House Democrats on Tuesday proposed to slash $683 million from higher education operations.
CBC President Rich Cummins said the new Career and Technical Education Center will replace the college's existing vocational building, which was designed to last 20 years but has been used for 40.
The new building will add about 22,000 square feet for work force programs that train students for jobs in construction, light manufacturing and renewable energy fields such as nuclear, wind, solar and hydro power, he said.
"One of the important things we need to remember is we need to look past the current crisis," Cummins said. "We need to look out five to 10 years and make sure we're planning for the state's future."
The Senate's capital budget includes $3.3 billion in projects that Democrats said are intended to spur economic recovery and create jobs.
"Our spending is directed at projects that are 'ready to go' and will build the infrastructure for tomorrow's economy," said Sen. Karen Fraser, D-Thurston County, capital budget chairwoman for the Senate Ways & Means Committee.
The House capital budget includes about $2.9 billion in projects and focuses on maintenance and preservation of state facilities.
"My father always used to say it's better to fix what you have than buy a new one," said Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, chairman of the House Capital Budget Committee.
The two budgets are $700 million to $1 billion leaner than the one proposed by Gov. Chris Gregoire in December because of declining revenue projections and the need to shift cash from the capital budget to the operating budget to bridge a projected $9 billion revenue gap.
Other Mid-Columbia projects:
w The Senate proposed $500,000 for Delta High School, a new high school focused on preparing students for eventual careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The House allocates $800,000 for the school.
w The Senate proposed $2.2 million for downtown Grandview revitalization, $1.1 million for infrastructure in Connell and $800,000 for construction of Commercial Avenue in Pasco. The House did not include funding.
w Both budgets propose $1.3 million for Richland to acquire land for its Parks and Recreation Department and $1 million for the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center in Prosser.
The Senate and House will adopt a final capital budget later this month.
w Michelle Dupler: 360-753-0862; mdupler@tricity herald.com
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