The 2023 Washington State legislative session is underway, and the state budget for the 2023-2025 biennium will be set in the coming months. The Washington Trust is advocating for a number of preservation and Main Street programs this year as part of our slate of legislative priorities. Here’s an overview:

1) Washington Main Street is a significant driver of downtown revitalization, economic development, and community placemaking in Washington State. In acknowledgment of this, we support the governor’s proposed funding to continue the program:

• $700,000 over current funding levels for the biennium to provide services to 72 communities in the state’s Main Street network

2) Washington’s historic places are crucial to our civic, social, and economic systems. To support these sites’ ongoing preservation, we support the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation's (DAHP) Capital Grant Programs:

• Heritage Barn Initiative – $1 million
• Historic Courthouse Program – $4.76 million
• Historic Cemetery Grant Program – $515,000
• Historic Theater Grant Program – $515,000

3) The Washington State Historic Society's (WSHS) Heritage Capital Project Fund is a grant program that is critical to the cultural organizations preserving our state’s history across Washington. We support the Washington State Historical Society’s request for full funding of $10 million to continue this important program.

These programs are critical to the revitalization of our state’s communities, preserving our state’s heritage, and promoting economic development. Send your support letter today ➜