Kennewick contract lobbyist reviews 2025 legislative session; city wins $750,000 for Columbia Park boat launch

Kennewick — Contract lobbyist Brianna Murray told the Kennewick City Council on May 20 that the 2025 Washington Legislature produced mixed results for the city but secured one clear local appropriation: $750,000 in the capital budget for a Columbia Park boat launch replacement.

Murray, a partner with Gordon Thomas Honeywell Government Relations, told council members the city originally requested $1.3 million and received roughly half the ask in the final capital budget. "The final capital budget included $750,000 for that project, which is half of what we had requested," Murray said, adding that the award was larger than the year's average local appropriation and worth thanking the citys 8th District legislators for advancing the request.

Why it matters: the appropriation provides state capital funds that the city can use toward a high‑profile Columbia Park project. Murray said the remaining city work will focus on implementation and pursuing additional funding on future legislative cycles.

Session context and statewide impacts

Murray framed the session as the first year of Washingtons two‑year biennium, noting the Legislature approved a roughly $77.8 billion combined budget…