News and Updates

Yesterday, the University of Washington opened the Othello-UW Commons in Southeast Seattle. Located across the street from the Othello Link light rail station, this new multi-functional partnership space will be used for community-informed teaching, learning, service, meet-ups, events and more by multiple UW schools, colleges and programs. Read more from UW News.

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives announced subcommittee memberships for the House Appropriations Committee yesterday. Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06) will serve on the Defense, Energy-Water, and Interior-Environment subcommittees. See the full list from Federal Relations.

The 2019 session of the Washington State Legislature is underway. On the third day of session, Joe Dacca, director of state relations, testified on Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed operating budget before the Senate Ways & Means Committee. Read more from State Relations. Watch live and archived footage from the legislature from TVW.

Governor Jay Inslee released his proposed 2019-21 biennial operating and capital budgets last week. The proposal provides significant funding for student financial aid and the University of Washington, recognizing critical needs for foundational support, employee wage increases and student resources. The governor’s budgets also invest heavily in the state’s behavioral health system, including a partnership with UW’s health science schools to increase the workforce and expand care. Read more from State Relations.

Members of the Washington state congressional delegation will assume new leadership roles in the next Congress. The Senate Democrats released their committee leadership roster, which includes a new post for Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA). The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in the House release its slate of recommendations for most committee chair positions. Read more from Federal Relations.