Jan
30
Week 4 of the 2009 session will see a full slate of committee hearings, as well as continued efforts by lawmakers to reach agreement on a supplemental budget.
The House Higher Education Committee plans a work session on access and affordability (as well as tuition policy) on Friday. In the Senate, the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee plans to look at options for a four year school in Snohomish County on Wednesday and Friday. In past sessions the focus has been on a branch campus of the UW, but consideration is also being given to a standalone college. Given current budget constraints, proponents are looking to have the legislature commit to a new four year school in the future when finances improve. Also, the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee has set a Thursday hearing to consider bills to increase commercialization of technologies.
We continue to work with lawmakers on ways to ensure that the supplemental budget allows enough flexibility for universities to manage how cuts are taken in order to protect our educational, research and health care missions. Amendments made earlier this week in the Senate improve the original proposal for hiring and spending freezes, but there are still significant issues with the overall bill.
