(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that she has secured over $7.3 million for critical investments in workplace, healthcare, and education priorities throughout Washington state. The funding was included in the Labor, HHS, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Senator Murray is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“I am proud to have helped bring funding to a variety of very worthwhile programs throughout our state,” said Senator Murray. “This bill will get health care initiatives off the ground, bring new technology to existing programs, support workforce training programs, and will ultimately make a difference in the lives of Washingtonians.”
Senator Murray was particularly proud of the funding that she has been able to secure for Washington State University programs.
“The funds that this bill provides will go towards WSU’s efforts to address critical shortages in today’s workforce,” said Senator Murray. “I am proud we are investing in expanding women’s roles in the fields of science and engineering, and making strides to educate more nurses.”
Now that the bill has passed the full Appropriations Committee it must be brought up for a vote on the Senate floor.
Funding for Eastern area projects include:
Eastern
Jumpstart — $250,000
Spokane, WA
These funds will go towards Jumpstart’s “One Child at a Time” project in Seattle and Spokane. This project partners Gonzaga University and University of Washington students with Head Start and early childhood centers for low-income children to provide a one-to-one mentoring program. Over 150 University student mentors will read to children and facilitate parental involvement in early childhood education, as well as provide literacy skills to parents where relevant. The investment of more than 28,000 hours of individual attention devoted by university mentors will allow nearly 1000 of Washington’s most disadvantaged preschoolers to develop.
Washington State University College of Nursing – $1,500,000
Spokane, WA
These funds will be used to augment the costs for facility/laboratories and equipment/technology in a new Washington State University nursing education facility. This funding will increase the quality and quantity of nurses educated in Washington state.
Washington State University – $500,000
Pullman, WA
These funds will go towards Washington State University’s Center for the Recruitment, Promotion and Advancement of Women in Science and Engineering program. This funding will provide mentorship, as well as professional and academic support, for women pursuing science and engineering fields. It will also work towards recruiting women to pursue the pure and applied sciences. This program will serve as a model for universities all over the country that struggle to recruit and retain women in these technical fields.
To view a full list of projects that Sen. Murray was able to provide funding for across Washington state visit: http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=259038
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