UW economist Dick Startz testified before the Senate Ways & Means Committee as part of a panel on “The Great Recession and the Future of Washington’s Economy.” Startz advised that the two best ways of minimizing the effect of recessions on the state budget are: (1) put aside enough money in the good times to prevent dramatic budget swings in bad times and (2) invest in education.
Category: 2011 Legislative Session
Plight of public higher education discussed on KING-TV
“Up Front,” a weekly news program on KING-TV, explores the rising cost of public higher education in Washington. A college degree has never been more important, but the state has less money to spend. So who pays the price?
Governor proposes creation of Department of Education
Today, Governor Gregoire unveiled a proposal to create a Department of Education. This is one in a series of proposed government restructuring and reform proposals.
The newly-created Department of Education would be led by a Secretary of Education appointed by the Governor. The Secretary would oversee, coordinate and streamline the four major education sectors: Early Learning, K-12, Community and Technical Colleges. Check out her policy brief for more information.
We’re still waiting for some additional information on how this proposal might directly effect the UW, but the core components of the proposal include:
- Consolidation of eight state entities into one (including OSPI, Department of Early Learning, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and the Higher Education Coordinating Board)
- Restructuring 12th grade as a a “launch year” to a student’s career
This proposal is meant as a compliment to recently-released recommendations from the Governor’s Higher Education Task Force, which you can read more about below.
Governor unveils budget that would cut $4 billion
On Wednesday morning, Gov. Gregoire unveiled a budget that would eliminate many services for the poor and also would make dramatic cuts in education funding. Tuition would increase by 22 percent over two years at the UW, WSU and Western Washington University. But even with the cuts, colleges and universities would experience $220 million in cuts.
The governor outlines her proposals in a 40-page document.
Local news coverage: Seattle Times | Associated Press