House Democrats Celebrate Washington County Investments

SALEM, OR — The Washington County delegation of Oregon House Democrats on Wednesday released a report detailing some of the projects that residents of Washington County can expect to benefit from throughout the next year.

Funding was secured for an expansive, statewide transportation package and seismic upgrades to various facilities and infrastructure; and the distribution of revenue made by Oregon State Lottery sales was set to be directed to benefit affordable housing and infrastructure projects as well as Oregon Main Street Revitalization projects.

The delegation of Oregon House Democrats who worked to secure these funding packages includes Rep. Jeff Barker (D-Aloha), Rep. Margaret Doherty (D-Tigard), Rep. Ken Helm (D-Beaverton), Rep. Sheri Malstrom (D-Beaverton), Rep. Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and Rep. Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro).

"I am proud of the work we were able to do this year to give Washington County the resources itneeds to grow and thrive in the future," Sollman said in a statement. "Together, we were able to move ourcommunity forward this legislative session with transformative investments."

One of the biggest accomplishments this legislative cycle came from the passing of House Bill 2017 — the $5.3 billion transportation package passed earlier this month with bipartisan support.

Highlights of that package include:

• $44 million for upgrades to Highway 217 southbound;
• $54 million for upgrades to Highway 217 northbound;
• $2.4 million per year in new maintenance funding for Beaverton;
• $1.3 million per year in new maintenance funding for Tigard;
• $678,000 per year in new maintenance funding for Tualatin;
• $301,000 per year in new maintenance funding for Cornelius;
• $591,000 per year in new maintenance funding for Forest Grove;
• $2.5 million per year in new maintenance funding for Hillsboro;
• $51,000 per year in new maintenance funding for North Plains;
• $13 million per year in new maintenance funding for Washington County; and
• $71 million per year in new transit funding to TriMet.

"After spending nearly two years engaged in the hard work of bringing the transportation package to fruition, I am proud of the final result for Oregonians and thrilled that we are able to bring much needed funding to projects in Washington County," McLain said. "As we continue to grow, these projects will help keep our economic engine running strong."

Investments that will benefit residents in and out of Washington County include:

• Bond Funding
  
  • $100 million for seismic rehabilitation at public school buildings statewide;
  • $20 million for seismic rehabilitation at emergency services buildings;
  • $80 million for the LIFT housing program;
  • $10 million for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund;
  • $120 million for the Veterans’ Home Loan Program (reauthorization); and
  • $25 million for the Elderly and Disabled Housing Program (reauthorization).
• Lottery revenue distribution
  
  • $30 million for Connect Oregon to finance transportation projects across the state;
  • $25 million for affordable housing preservation;
  • $5 million for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization grant program; and
  • $10 million for levee projects around the state.
• Transportation investments
  
  • $130 million per year for transit;
  • $10 million per year for Safe Routes to Schools; and
  • $1.2 million per year for bike and pedestrian projects.

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