Welcome to the end of week six in the 2013 regular session.
Aside from being almost one-third of the way through the 105-day session, today (Feb. 22) has another important significance.
After today, policy bills that haven’t yet had a hearing in committee, will be singing the swan song. Sure, there are ways to resuscitate certain budget-related bills, but the curtain call for the majority of unheard bills will come today.
University of Washington students showcased research on topics ranging from quantum chemistry to malaria at the State Capitol last week.
Legislators and staff dropped by the event held in 211 Cherberg to learn about the wide range of research being done by UW students.
View more photos on State Relations’ Facebook page.
PHOTOS: @UW Student Research Showcase at the Capitol today http://t.co/zvBCurFm #waleg cc: @UWFSAE @ASUWSeattle @UW_GPSS
— UW Government & Community Relations (@UWGOV) February 15, 2013
University of Washington Provost Ana Mari Cauce recently held a Town Hall on campus to discuss key issues and priorities for the current academic year. The event included lively conversation and timely questions from the live audience.
Below are several segments of interest concerning academic, administrative and state legislative issues.
Alumni groups from three of the state’s public four-year universities are launching outreach efforts in Olympia this week.
Through social media postings, the three alumni groups (UW Impact, WSU Impact, and Western Advocates) announced they are joining forces for an “Alumni Week of Action.”
Their message? Asking legislators to support state reinvestment in higher education in exchange for a two-year tuition freeze.
The alumni-driven efforts come on the heels of proposals introduced in both the State House and State Senate to address sagging state support of public higher education.
We reported last week on a proposal by Senate Democrats to address sagging state funding for public higher education. Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles (D-Seattle) introduced SB 5420, which would make a $225 million reinvestment in public higher education, and freeze tuition for two years.
Additional Democratic sponsors of the proposal are Senators Frockt, Murray, McAuliffe, Fraser, Ranker, Rolfes, Kline, Conway, and Chase.
On Friday, a bipartisan effort emerged in the state House led by Rep. Gerry Pollett (D-Seattle) with similar aims.
According to the Seattle Times:
HB 1624 aims to move Washington toward a 50-50 split between students and the state, with students paying half the cost of their education and the state paying the rest.
The House bill would also tie tuition increases to the inflation rate.
Rep. Pollett’s bill also has the support of House Higher Education Chair Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor), and the committee’s Ranking Republican Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland).
Additional bipartisan sponsors of the bill include Representatives Walsh, Zeiger, Goodman, Farrell, Sells, Upthegrove, Fitzgibbon, Roberts,Kirby, Fey, Freeman, Ryu, and Magendanz
Crosscut.com has more on the House and Senate reinvestment proposals.
Both bills now await hearings before their chambers’ respective Higher Education committees.
Policy committees are in full swing this week. On the docket this week: developments in the Higher Education realm, from online learning to the needs of industry.
Yesterday, Dr. Elaine Scott presented before the House Higher Education Committee on the needs of STEM-related industries.
Dr. Scott is the Director of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Program at the University of Washington Bothell.
Watch the hearing here.
Today, before the Senate Higher Education Committee, a panel from the UW presented on “current practices, what’s new, and what’s next” in online learning.
The UW presenters were:
Dr. David “Dave” Szatmary, Vice Provost, UW Education Outreach
Dr. Barbara Endicott-Popovsky, Director, UW Center for IA and Cybersecurity
Dr. Gail Joseph, Faculty, UW Early Childhood and Family Studies program
Dr. Endicott-Popovsky was interviewed by the Seattle Times recently about the UW’s partnership with Coursera to provide several MOOCs (Massively Open Online Courses).
The House Higher Education Committee kicked off a week of work sessions this morning focusing on the Higher Ed needs of industry.
Today’s panels focused on the Aerospace and Software industries.
UW’s Computer Science & Engineering Chair Hank Levy presented on the Software panel.
In his presentation, Prof. Levy discussed the broad needs of the software industry, from large firms to startups, and from IT users to IT producers.
Large firms like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft are intensely competing for candidates with a broad set of skills, at both the bachelor and graduate levels.
Smaller startups rely on local talent, and can rarely compete on the national or global scale that larger firms can.
Prof. Levy noted that with more state resources, UW could increase STEM degree production and help begin filling workforce gaps.
The UW Daily covered today’s hearing, and reported:
Hank Levy, chair of the UW Computer Science Department, said the main problem his program is facing in terms of producing graduates is capacity.
“We are currently turning away over 300 applications a year at the undergraduate level,” Levy said. “At the graduate level we are only taking about 1 in 10 graduates that apply.”
Wash. employers will begin making their case for where to invest higher education funds this week: http://t.co/MOo8u7Qv @thedaily #waleg
— Jillian Stampher (@JillianStampher) January 22, 2013
Watch Prof. Levy’s presentation & discussion with members here.
This afternoon, the Senate Higher Education Committee held a Work Session to get an update on the Statewide Public Four-Year Dashboard, and other data-driven reporting issues.
Watch video of the session on TVW.
On Monday, members of the House & Senate took their oaths of office. In the State Senate, as was expected, the Majority Coalition Caucus took control after a brief floor fight.
https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/290942408521310209
On Tuesday, Gov. Gregoire delivered the final State of the State address of her 8-year tenure.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee was sworn-in and delivered his inaugural address. In his speech, the new Governor noted the role UW and other public universities play in growing the economy.
.@GovInslee notes "Leading role our research institutions play in inventing the future, growing our economy, and creating jobs." #wagov
— UW Government & Community Relations (@UWGOV) January 16, 2013
At a press availability later in the day, Gov. Inslee further noted that he did not believe extending certain taxes would break his no-new taxes campaign pledge:
Inslee says "Huskies and Cougars" can all agree that extending temporary taxes would not be a tax increase. #waleg
— Jim Brunner (@Jim_Brunner) January 17, 2013
Also on Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee held a Work Session, with public four-year institutions presenting. Watch the proceedings on TVW, and be sure to catch UW State Relations’ presentation here.
On Thursday, the Senate Higher Education Committee met for the first time with Sen. Barbara Bailey (R-Whidbey Island) at the helm as Chair. On the docket: An update on the state budget, overview of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program & recommendations from the Legislative Advisory Committee to the GET Committee, and overview of the State Need Grant & College Bound Scholarship Program. Watch the proceedings on TVW.
Also on Thursday, Nathan Schlicher (J.D. ’02, M.D., ’06) was appointed by county commissioners in the 26th Legislative District to fill the State Senate Seat left vacant by now Congressman Derek Kilmer.
Schlicher has a majority. Republican Dan Roach puts him over the top. #waleg
— Jordan Schrader (@Jordan_Schrader) January 17, 2013
Today, the Senate Law & Justice Committee held a work session and hearing on alcohol-related issues on college campuses.
For more Olympia-related news, tune in to TVW’s Inside Olympia segment. Host Austin Jenkins interviews State Senators Andy Hill (R-Redmond), Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam), and Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island).
At 7 &10 tonight on TVW: @AustinJenkinsN3 interviews Senators Andy Hill, Steve Litzow, Jim Hargrove, Sharon Nelson pic.twitter.com/0rIonBUT
— TVW (@TVWnews) January 18, 2013
The Capitol came alive today with opening day ceremonial activities in both the House and Senate.
Following the swearing in of new and returning members, both chambers moved on to electing their leaders and other business.
Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, tells #waleg "We are one Washington… striving to give our children a better world." pic.twitter.com/hNGXYgtG
— Drew Mikkelsen (@drewmikkelsenk5) January 14, 2013
In the State House, Rep. Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) was re-elected Speaker.
In the State Senate, a floor debate unfolded over adopting the chamber’s rules.
Earlier in the day, Senators swapped seating arrangements, in anticipation of a coming power shift.
Musical desks. Moving nameplates on Senate floor as new Majority Coalition prepares to take control later today. #waleg pic.twitter.com/WV6KLYYG
— Austin Jenkins N3 (@AustinJenkinsN3) January 14, 2013
As was expected, two Democratic Senators Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Tim Sheldon (D-Potlach) joined with 23 Senate Republicans to give the Majority Coalition Caucus control of the chamber.
Majority coalition seizes control of Wash. Senate with 25 to 23 vote over Democratic objections. #waleg pic.twitter.com/Sx6157kx
— Austin Jenkins N3 (@AustinJenkinsN3) January 14, 2013
https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/290948589641928704
Leadership of key Senate committees also firmed up, as reported by the Seattle Times.
Three Democratic Senators took up the Majority Coalition Caucus’ offer to chair or co-chair committees:
Sen. Tracey Eide will co-chair the Senate Transportation Committee along with GOP Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, will chair the Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance Committee and Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond will chair Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development.
In other news, two newspaper editorial boards around the state weighed in on the $225 million reinvestment proposal offered last week that would freeze tuition at the six four-year public universities.
The Kitsap Sun wrote that Higher Education should not be left out of the conversation over education this session:
If we prepare kids adequately in through high school but neglect to answer questions about making relevant degrees more available, college tuition more affordable and programming that addresses all of our economy’s needs, the state will continue falling behind in the future. Our economy may be handicapped nationally by big levers, but drags of our own doing, like failing to prepare workers for industries that will drive recovery, should be inexcusable.
The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin wrote that the proposal is something that should receive serious consideration and discussion.
The Associated Press also took note of the reinvestment proposal, including it in an article titled: “5 Things to Watch in the Wash. Legislature This Year.”
Stay tuned for more blog coverage this week on committee business! And be sure to follow us on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for more frequent updates.
With the start of the 105-day legislative session set to kick off next Monday, Jan. 14, the Associated Press held its annual forum featuring state legislators and decision-makers in Olympia today.
The big topics? Finding additional funding for basic education, the committee structure and leadership of the State Senate, and addressing the estimated $1 billion shortfall in the state budget.
As The News Tribune reports, despite disagreement between the Majority Coalition and Senate Democrats, some individual members of the Democratic caucus may still take State Senate committee chairmanships when session starts next week.
After legislators wrapped up their session preview, Gov-Elect Jay Inslee took the podium to announce several key appointments in his new administration, and to make brief remarks.
#WA Governor-elect Jay Inslee introducing members of his new cabinet. #WALeg http://t.co/JD4q8jCY
— TVW (@TVWnews) January 10, 2013
The Gov-Elect’s appointments are as follows:
Employment Security – Dale Peinecke
Labor & Industries – Joel Sacks
Retirement Systems – Marcie Frost
Veterans Affairs – Alfie Alvarado-Ramos
Department of Social and Health Services – Kevin Quigley
In terms of Higher Ed policy in the upcoming session, Gov-Elect Inslee outlined an effort he plans to launch to address STEM degree production, and other critical skill gaps.
Inslee said he wants improved STEM educ so jobs at Microsoft et al can go to Wa students, not from other states/nations. #apforum
— Peter Callaghan (@CallaghanPeter) January 10, 2013
It's a "crime against nature" not to have enough skilled workers for high-tech jobs, said Wash. Gov.-elect Jay Inslee. #apforum #waleg
— Manuel Valdes///subscribe to your local paper (@ByManuelValdes) January 10, 2013
Yesterday, Gov-Elect Inslee announced the appointment of his budget director.
According to the Transition Office, David Schumacher, a Husky alum and veteran of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, will take on the position at OFM.
Most recently, Schumacher served as executive director of the Council of Presidents, representing the six public university presidents, and through that position has become well-acquainted with higher education policy.
More from the Seattle Times:
Schumacher knows the state budget top to bottom and helped the Senate navigate the recession. “The Governor-Elect has given me clear direction to look for real, long-term solutions as we balance the budget and make state government more efficient,” Schumacher said in a statement.
You can watch today’s AP Legislative Preview in three hour-long episodes on the TVW website:
PART 1: Leadership panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue), House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle), Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt (R-Chehalis).
PART 2: Budget funding panel discussion with State Sup’t Randy Dorn, State Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), State Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Chris Korsmo (CEO, League of Education Voters) and moderated by AP reporter Mike Baker.
Part 3: Conversation with Gov-Elect Jay Inslee.