There are many losers from this last legislative session, but salmon will emerge as a winner.

With so much new revenue in the budget – even without new taxes – we joined others in calling for increased funding of salmon recovery efforts. Despite my frustration at the tax increases and spending in the overall budget, the small portion dedicated salmon recovery is one bright spot.

As I wrote earlier this year when we advocated for the increased funding, it is rare for me to propose increased government spending, but the need is real, a small increase will make a big difference, and the spending is prioritized using a scientific assessment, not politics.

In the six significant salmon recovery programs, funding was increased by about $38 million compared to last biennium. Of the about $8 billion in new spending in the operating and capital budgets overall, the increase in salmon funding is tiny – less than one-half of one percent. For salmon recovery, however, it represents a 28 percent increase from the previous biennium. Salmon recovery funding also represents about 3.4 percent of the Capital budget, compared to about 3.1 percent in the last biennium.

Additionally, the operating budget includes $7 million to “increase hatchery production of salmon throughout the Puget Sound, coast, and Columbia river.” This is also good news.

There is still work to be done to streamline the process for these projects. We need to ensure that every dollar is spent well, and that funding is not wasted. For example, federal funding through the National Estuary Program for habitat projects faces needless bureaucracy before it reaches Washington state. We should move power from the federal government to the states and give them more control over spending. It will reduce waste and be more environmentally effective.

In a session where there were many things that frustrate those who believe in responsible budgeting and economics, this is one area that will be positive for the environment and should provide a model for prioritizing with science, not politics.