The House of Representatives is debating the 2008 supplemental operating budget as I post this entry. Unfortunately for the UW and WSU Star Researchers program, an amendment sponsored by Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland) which would have restored the $1.5 million cut out in the House budget proposal failed on a voice vote less than a half hour ago. It appears the cut will remain and our efforts will shift to retaining the funding in the Senate budget so that the program has a chance to be fully restored in conference negotiations.
Speaking of the Senate, they are delaying the release of their 2008 operating and capital budget proposals by a day since the House budgets are being acted on this afternoon. The Senate did release its supplemental transportation budget at noon today and we expect the Senate to unveil it’s remaining spending plans tomorrow at noon.
Governor Gregoire’s statement last week on the House budget did mention an interest in seeing the House doing more on campus safety (their budget removed virtually all of her operating and capital campus safety items) and to maintain a larger budget reserve.