Adams County Not Seeking Additional Federal Funding This Year

Commissioners say they will focus on existing projects instead of requesting new money from Senator Patty Murray's office.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Adams County commissioners have decided not to ask the federal government for any additional financial support this year. During a recent meeting, Commission Chairman Dan Blankenship stated the county will not be requesting a new funding allocation from Senator Patty Murray's office, as they already have several ongoing projects in the pipeline for federal assistance.

Why it matters

This decision by Adams County reflects a strategic shift in how they are approaching federal funding opportunities. Rather than seeking new money, the commissioners want to concentrate their efforts on securing support for existing initiatives, such as a bridge program related to the Odessa Groundwater Replacement project.

The details

Blankenship explained that Senator Murray had already advocated for the county on 'a couple of pretty big things.' With that in mind, the commissioners decided it would be best to focus on 'pushing that existing project in their office over the finish line' instead of requesting additional funds. The county is moving forward with plans for the bridge program on the Odessa Aquifer replacement project, as well as a new $25 million bridge grant program to help replace or rehabilitate rural bridges impacted by the federal Bureau of Reclamation's ongoing Odessa Groundwater Replacement project.

  • The Adams County commissioners made this decision during a meeting on February 3, 2026.

The players

Dan Blankenship

The chairman of the Adams County commissioners.

Patty Murray

A U.S. Senator representing the state of Washington.

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What they’re saying

“We were going to focus on pushing that existing project in their office over the finish line, and that's going to be plenty of work.”

— Dan Blankenship, Adams County Commission Chairman (ritzvillejournal.com)

The takeaway

Adams County's decision to forgo seeking new federal funding this year and instead concentrate on advancing existing projects demonstrates a pragmatic approach to managing limited resources and leveraging previous advocacy efforts. This strategy could serve as a model for other local governments looking to maximize the impact of their interactions with federal representatives.