Inslee Signs $4.2 Billion Capital Budget, Water Bill

OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday signed both a $4.2 billion capital budget that pays for construction projects across the state, as well as a compromise bill on a contentious water issue that had stalled the budget for months. Inslee signed the so-called Hirst fix privately in his office, followed by public signings of the budget and accompanying bonds bill later in the afternoon. Before signing the measures, Inslee said the budget “puts thousands of Washingtonians to work, all across the state of Washington.” “We know this capital budget restarts hundreds of projects to expand and improve affordable housing, mental health facilities, schools, water systems, wild land forest health and so much more,” he said. The Senate and the House passed all of the measures Thursday night after reaching agreement on how to address a state Supreme Court decision known as Hirst involving the use of domestic wells in rural areas.