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That’s a wrap! 2016 session adjourned

On day 20 of the special session, just before 11:00 p.m., the legislature adjourned sine die, after passing compromise operating and capital budgets earlier in the day.

Over the past two-plus weeks, budget negotiators worked through a number of outstanding revenue and spending issues, entertaining and then abandoning a number of different tools to generate small amounts of revenue.

In the end, the members didn’t reach consensus on any new revenue components, and so the final supplemental budget made very select new investments and swept other fund sources in order to make a 4-year budget outlook pencil following a grim February forecast.

The University of Washington was successful in bringing home its top priority – backfill for the tuition reduction adopted by the legislature in 2015. Throughout session, students, staff, alumni, regents, and leadership reinforced the same message, that backfilling the tuition cut was critical to preserving access to and the quality of education at the UW.

Aside from the tuition backfill, however, the budget brought little else to celebrate. Unfortunately, the backfill was offset in part by a decision to charge state agencies for administrative functions of the Office of Financial Management. And due to overall limited resources, no new investments came to rural dentistry or computer science, the UW’s other top priorities.

In all, it truly was a supplemental budget, and the table is now set for next session, when higher education priorities will face a steep challenge in maintaining and growing the commitment from the state to access, quality, and opportunity for all students.

For more information about how the supplemental budget affects the university, check out the Office of Planning & Budgeting Brief.

 

To keep up with the latest from Olympia, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions about state topics, please call 206-543-7604.

Budgets are out! Here’s how they stack up on UW priorities

The most recent state revenue forecast in mid-February dealt a blow to the state and made negotiating a supplemental budget more challenging. The forecast reduced the current biennium’s revenues by $67 million and the next biennium’s by another $442 million. Read more details on the February 17 state revenue forecast here.

Both the House and the Senate released their opening budget proposals last week, and there were notable differences between the two as they impact higher education. Here are some of the highlights for UW:

Tuition Backfill

The Senate funded the tuition backfill for institutions, by and large, and the House did not provide backfill. The Senate’s budget also includes a limitation on enrollment growth that could potentially suppress the numbers of resident undergraduates—we hope that won’t make it into the final compromise budget. As part of her visit last week, President Cauce met with budget leadership in the House, and urged legislators to include backfill in the go-home budget.

Leasehold Excise Tax (LET) fix

Our LET bills, HB 2523 and SB 6462 were heard early in session. While lawmakers of all stripes indicate support the tax policy of allowing us to once again pay only the same LET as private owners pay in property tax, technically the bills are dead, as they did not move out of committee. We hope there might still be a chance to rectify this unintended consequence of a 2013 assessor bill before the current session is out.

RIDE: Rural dentistry in Spokane

We continue to work with the Spokane delegation, as well as other stakeholders, on our request to establish a simulation lab in Spokane and develop greater service-learning clinical rotations. Despite strong support, it was not funded in either budget. We hope that there may still be a chance to include the $200,000 per year that would expand our rotations and expand the RIDE mission to rural and under-served areas on both sides of the mountains.

Computer Science & Engineering Building

The CSE II building was partially funded in the 2015-17 budget, and our request for $15 million in the supplemental budget (to replace the $15 million appropriation from our building fund) has come up against a meager supplemental capital budget: less than $90 million total statewide in last week’s proposals. CSE II was not funded in either budget. We continue to push for at least partial funding in 2016, critical to keeping private fundraising on track for the remaining $70+ million balance.

That’s where the big stuff stands at this moment in time. Stay tuned for more as budget writers get comfortable in their seats around the negotiating table in this final stretch.

2016 Session: It’s been a whirlwind!

The past seven weeks have flown by, filled with testimony, legislative agendas, and plenty of policy discussion. Here are a few of the things that have been going on while we’ve been here at the capitol.

President Cauce visits Olympia

President Ana Mari Cauce made three trips to Olympia to thank legislators for historic investments in higher education in 2015 and to discuss the university’s priorities for this year. Here are a few of the pictures and behind the scenes video from President Cauce’s visits.

Regents’ visit coincides with Huskies on the Hill, and Harry the Husky says hi!

On February 8, the capitol campus in Olympia could have been mistaken for UW’s Red Square–purple and gold was the theme of the day. Regents, UW Bothell Chancellor Wolf Yeigh, dozens of undergraduate and graduate students, and even Harry the Husky met with members of the House and Senate to advocate for UW. Check out photos from the day on the State Relations Facebook page.

Faculty experts present to legislators

Much like the testimony an expert witness gives in a courtroom, legislators will call on researchers to present on a wide variety of subjects. Quite often, presenters will include members of the UW community. Here are just a few of the faculty and staff who shared their expertise to assist lawmakers during the 2016 legislative session.

  • Tom DeLuca, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, in House Capital Budget and Senate Ways & Means
  • Mark Hallenbeck, UW’s Washington State Transportation Center office, in the House Transportation Committee
  • James Dorsey, Washington MESA, in the Senate Higher Education Committee

Budget update – Moving into the final stretch

By its nature–limited time and limited funds–the supplemental session offers modest opportunities for both policy and budget. The most recent state revenue forecast in mid-February dealt a blow to the state’s spending plans, and has made negotiating a supplemental budget more challenging. The forecast reduced the current biennium’s revenues by $67 million and the upcoming biennium’s by another $442 million.

Last week, both the House and the Senate released their opening budget proposals, and passed them off their respective floors. While these are a good indicator of the two majorities’ policy priorities, a lot will change as the budget writers negotiate details toward a final compromise budget. Read more about the contrasting budget proposals here. Stay tuned for details on higher education budget impacts over the next few days.

 

To keep up with the latest from Olympia, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions about state topics, please call 206-543-7604.

External Affairs hosts state, federal staff for Husky for a Day

Last week, the Office of External Affairs hosted Husky for a Day @ UW. The day took our guests from pre-application through graduation, providing an inside look into the Husky student experience for participants. Guests included state and federal legislative staff and higher education partners.

Participants started the day with a presentation from Associate Vice Provost Philip Ballinger on the holistic application review process. Next, everyone had a chance to stretch their legs while a student guide took the group on a tour of campus. Our final presentation of the morning was from Assistant Vice Provost Kay Lewis with an in-depth look at financial aid.

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Interim Provost Baldasty, Dean Taylor, LeAnne Wiles and students discuss the Husky Experience

During the lunch hour, the group was joined by Interim Provost Gerald Baldasty, Undergraduate Academic Affairs Dean Ed Taylor, First-Year Programs Director LeAnne Jones Wiles, and three Huskies – Thomas Nugyen, Marisol Diaz and Aegron Ethen. The panel discussed and answered questions about the Husky Experience. Topics included the key skills, knowledge and abilities that are transferred from UW classrooms into meaningful student experiences like studying abroad, jobs and internships, research projects and participation in community organizations.

After lunch, it was time for class as participants joined students in Dr. Scott Freeman‘s Biology 180 course for a professional development session where they learned “how to be a Dawg.”

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Learning how to be a Dawg

Finally, the day concluded with a stop at the UW Alumni Association office to hear about the work they do with Huskies post-graduation. The External Affairs team also took a moment to say thank you to participants for their ongoing work in support of higher education and our Husky students.

View more photos from Husky for a Day @ UW on UWGOV’s Facebook.

Editorial: A proud moment for the state Legislature

UW President Michael K. Young
President Michael K. Young

In a guest opinion editorial published in The Olympian newspaper, UW President Michael K. Young recognizes state legislators for their work on behalf of higher education in the state budget:

I am very proud of our state Legislature. As difficult and protracted as the process was, our legislators passed a state budget that reinvests in the state’s future by supporting the education of our young people. It’s an achievement that deserves to be recognized.

The state budget is an encouraging reminder that the trajectory of a public issue can be altered for the better and that downward spirals need not continue. Many individuals, including faculty and student leaders, labor leaders, business executives, and newspaper editors demonstrated the power of a thoughtful argument, persistently and eloquently presented, and the capacity of our citizens and our democratic institutions to respond constructively. The resulting political compromises and the long-term thinking of the legislators should be a source of pride for every Washington citizen. By their bold action, our legislators have taken an important step to reenergize our public colleges and universities and return momentum to Washington’s historic commitment to educating its citizens to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Read more here.

Regents approve UW operating budget and tuition rates

The University of Washington Board of Regents met today (July 1) to approve the university operating budget and 2014, 2015 tuition rates.

After many years of declining state support, state lawmakers made a substantial reinvestment in higher education in the 2013-2015 state operating budget. This reinvestment in higher education will allow the university to provide more affordable tuition rates for Washington’s students and their families without compromising on the quality of a UW education.

For more information, click here to download and our tuition fact sheet (PDF).

Bipartisan Proposal Introduced in State House To Reinvest in Public Higher Education

Washington State CapitolWe reported last week on a proposal by Senate Democrats to address sagging state funding for public higher educationSen. 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 FrocktMurrayMcAuliffeFraserRankerRolfesKlineConway, 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, GoodmanFarrellSellsUpthegroveFitzgibbonRoberts,KirbyFeyFreemanRyu, 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.

Today in Olympia: First Day of Session, Editorials Weigh in on Reinvestment Proposal

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Reinvestment proposal offers to freeze tuition

President Young today joined with presidents of the state’s other public four-year universities in asking the Legislature to bolster sagging state investment.

In exchange for a $225 million reinvestment in the 2013-15 operating budget, the universities offered to hold resident undergraduate tuition at current rates for the next two years.

Responding to the proposal in the Seattle Times, State Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, said:

“Do I think it will be difficult to find $225 million? Yes,” Hunter said. “But can we continue to do this long-term destruction of the higher-ed system? No.”

The Times noted:

“An infusion of $225 million would bring funding levels back to about what they were in 2009.”

The Times also reported that the presidents long term goal is to return to a 50/50 funding formula, where students and the state share the costs of higher education:

“Currently, about 67 percent of the cost of going to a four-year public college in Washington is borne by students and their families, with the state picking up the remainder.”

Commenting on the reinvestment proposal, UW Regent Joanne Harrell said in a statement:

“As a Regent, I’ve seen first hand how difficult this recession has been on our students and families. This proposal is a win-win. It makes higher education more affordable and ensures our students have access to the high quality education they deserve.”

Read the Seattle Times story, and let us know what you think: