"We're here today because the governor's proposed capital budget does not honor the legislative intent to fund the critical and time sensitive project," Ruth Clemens, city administrator for Aberdeen, said during in‑person testimony.

Brian Shea, city administrator for Hoquiam, detailed the Aberdeen‑Hoquiam flood protection project and said the total program includes a pump station and two levees with a combined price tag he placed at $233,000,000. He told the committee the legislature allocated $35,500,000 in 2023 as match to $100,000,000 in federal funds; those state dollars were split between $18,500,000 awarded and $17,000,000 promised for the 2025‑27 biennium. "The $22,000,000 Fry Creek pump station was completed last summer and prevented flooding that would have occurred from recent intense rain events and king tides," Shea said, and he asked the Legislature to allocate the promised $17,000,000 for the remaining levee segments.

Darren Raines, CEO of Greater Grays Harbor, described the county's economic challenges and said removal of properties from the flood zone would unlock development: once levies are constructed, he said, 5,100 properties, 1,354 businesses and 1,292 jobs would be removed from the flood zone.

Why it matters: the state match was identified as a precursor to federal funds; failure to provide the promised match can delay projects that local officials say protect homes and economic investment from chronic coastal and localized flooding.

Provenance: testimony from city administrators and regional economic development officials during the capital budget hearing.