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Category: State Legislature

UW releases 2016 state legislative agenda

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Today, the University released its legislative priorities for the 2016 session that began yesterday in Olympia. The governor delivered his State of the State address this afternoon, with Board Chair Bill Ayer representing the UW Board of Regents as one of the governor’s guests.

Here is a quick overview of what’s on the agenda:

Make the University Whole – Implementing the state’s new tuition policy

A critical piece of the state’s new tuition policy is its commitment to fully compensate institutions for the tuition revenue they will lose due to the reduction. As the tuition backfill in the adopted 2015-17 budget was based on outdated enrollment numbers, we seek $4.4 million to make the UW whole.

Expanding our Successful Rural Dentistry Program in Spokane

UW requests state funding to expand the UW School of Dentistry’s Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program in Spokane and Eastern Washington with the addition of a simulation lab and expanded clinical rotation opportunities. RIDE trains students to practice in rural and underserved areas, and partners with Eastern Washington University and others in the community to improve oral health across our state.

Restoring Fairness for Public Agencies Paying Leasehold Excise Tax

Part of the leasehold excise tax (LET) statute was deleted by a 2013 bill, and as a result the UW now pays additional excess tax out of a fund which otherwise pays for repair and maintenance projects. The UW supports the ability of public property owners to once again pay taxes equal to – not greater than– those of private property owners.

Computer Science & Engineering – Making more degrees a reality

In the 2015 legislative session, the legislature dedicated a total of $32.5 million toward our new Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) building, helping double CSE degree production. However, $15.0 million was taken from the UW’s own building account, which pays for systemwide repairs and maintenance. We ask the legislature to allocate $15.0 million in the state bonds to restore the building account funds to their intended and much-needed purpose.

Click here to view and download the 2016 Legislative Agenda document.

Ramping up toward 2016 session; Governor’s budget release is imminent

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It’s that time of year again! No, not holiday shopping and what some affectionately call “butter season,” but the crescendo toward the opening of the 2016 Washington legislative session!

As a “short” 60-day session, expectations are generally modest, as they usually provide a limited opportunity for both policy-making and funding. Why? Two primary reasons: 1- Because the biennial budget has already been adopted, a supplemental budget typically offers only small changes in terms of funding. 2- With every House member and half of the Senate up for re-election, legislators are often cautious about significant new policy endeavors and are anxious about being held accountable for big changes in the re-election cycle.

Arguably, the release of the governor’s proposed budget is the unofficial kickoff of the session. This year, the budget release is expected on December 17

The outlook for the budget release, however, isn’t terribly rosy. The November 18 state revenue forecast reported an additional $113 million for the 2105-17 biennium, and an additional $30 million in 2017-19. Meanwhile, according to the governor’s budget office, state costs to maintain current services and other mandatory costs for the current biennium have grown by nearly $700 million. This is made up of increased costs to maintain current programs as a result of increasing caseloads, fire suppression costs, lawsuit costs, mental health needs, and other urgent needs.

December 17 is just around the corner, and we’re eager for the governor to unveil his spending proposal. It would be excellent to see some higher education priorities wrapped up with a big red bow. Perhaps we’ll even leave out some milk and cookies on the 16th just for good measure.

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

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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.

Governor Inslee signs bipartisan transportation investment package at UW

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Yesterday (July 15), joined by a bipartisan group of state legislators and transportation leaders, Governor Jay Inslee signed the statewide transportation package at the UW’s Conibear Shellhouse.

Interim Pres. Cauce welcomes legislative leaders, and introduces Gov. Inslee
Pres. Cauce welcomes legislative leaders, and introduces Gov. Inslee

UW Interim President Ana Mari Cauce introduced Gov. Inslee, and in her remarks noted the investment package will benefit thousands of UW students, faculty, employees, patients, visitors, and fans who depend on safe and reliable transportation. In fact, within a mile-or-so radius of the bill signing location, State Route 520, light rail, and the Burke Gilman Trail all form one of the most significant regional and multimodal transportation hubs in the state.

Gov. Inslee signs statewide transportation package bills.
Gov. Inslee signs statewide transportation package bills.

President Cauce also thanked the bipartisan group of state legislators, business and labor leadership, and transportation leaders who assembled for coming to the UW campus for the bill signing. She noted the location, Conibear Shellhouse, was an apt place for signing a bill that required so much determination and teamwork — as it is also the central hub for Husky student-athletes, and the home of the UW Crew Team.

View more photos on State Relations’ Facebook page.

Governor Inslee signs bill addressing sexual violence on college campuses

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Sen. Barbara Bailey and Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles both introduced legislation this session to assess and address sexual assault on college campuses in our state.

Governor Inslee signed Sen. Kohl-Welles’ SB 5518 last week, which charges institutions of higher education with developing procedures to address sexual assault.

Sen. Bailey’s SB 5719, which creates a sexual assault task force, will be headed to the Governor’s desk soon.

For more background on this topic, read this Seattle Times story that ran over the weekend.

 

SB 518, Relating to campus sexual violence.
Governor Inslee signs SB 5518 into law. Photo: LSS

LSS

 

Director of UW’s Clean Energy Institute presents to House committee

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Today (Jan. 29), Dan Schwartz, Director of UW’s Clean Energy Institute, appeared before the House Committee on Technology & Economic Development to give an overview of CEI’s pioneering work in the fields of solar generation, energy storage, and systems integration.

The CEI was founded in 2013 with a $6 million investment from the Washington legislature, which has the institute has leveraged to attract additional federal and foundation support.

The institute is accelerating the translation of science into technologies that support the development of solar energy and its integration into the electrical grid.

View Dr. Schwartz’s presentation to the committee here, and CEI’s recently released annual report here.

We will post a link to Dr. Schwartz’s comments via TVW as soon as the video is available.

President Young’s statement on the passage of the Real Hope Act

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“Today’s action by the State Legislature was a vote of confidence in students and their importance to the future of our state,” said UW President Michael K. Young. “It sends a strong message that an education should be available to absolutely everyone. For years, our state has invested in these students’ success in our K-12 classrooms and in our communities. All students who work hard in school deserve an opportunity to go to college and have access to the financial resources to make it possible. Our representatives have passed a bill that will have a transformative effect on our students, their families and their communities for many years to come.

2014 legislative session begins January 13, UW releases legislative agenda

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The 2014 60-day legislative session starts next Monday (January 13).

To learn more about the UW’s 2014 top legislative priorities, you can now read and download the University’s 2014 Legislative Agenda.

Here is a quick overview:

Priority #1: Preserve the 2014 Resident Undergraduate Tuition Freeze

The UW is committed to a continued freeze in 2014 as long as there are no reductions in state funding.

Priority #2: Fully fund the State Need Grant (SNG). 

Last year, 32,000 students were eligible for the SNG but went unserved.

Priority #3: Make strategic investments in What’s Next

Small strategic investments in innovative work occurring at the UW can result in big economic impact:

  • Next Generation Medicine
  • Next Generation Health Care
  • Next Generation STEM Education
  • Next Generation Higher Education

In other Olympia news:

Several House seats are still awaiting appointments, including the 2nd, 4th, and 26th Legislative Districts.

Longtime legislator and former UW faculty member and alum, Sen. Paull Shin, announced his resignation yesterday due to health concerns. His departure creates a vacancy in the Senate, with an appointment process expected to fill his seat representing the 21st Legislative District.

Also this week, a variety of business, civic, and media organizations are holding a variety of legislative preview events. One not to be missed is the Associated Press’ annual legislative preview. It’s set for tomorrow in Olympia (watch live on TVW or online).

Finally, tomorrow the House Republican Caucus will be holding a Twitter town hall, answering questions from constituents online:

The House Democratic Caucus, Senate Democratic Caucus, and Majority Coalition Caucus also maintain Twitter accounts, with updates covering legislative news.

Stay tuned to the Office of State Relations’ Facebook and Twitter for updates as the countdown to the 2014 legislative session continues! Leave us a comment below with any questions or feedback.

This Week in Olympia: Committee Assembly Days, Revenue Forecast

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State lawmakers return to Olympia this week for Committee Assembly Days.

On Thursday (Nov. 21) and Friday (Nov. 22), legislative members will attend committee hearings to discuss upcoming legislative priorities, and also gather for caucus meetings.

To find out what meetings are happening when, check out the legislative calendar here; if you want to follow the action yourself, tune in to TVW.

At 10:00AM today (Nov. 20), all eyes will be on the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council’s Revenue Forecast. The Governor will use the revenue projections and the caseload forecast (released last week) as a basis to build his budget, with release of a budget proposal expected in mid-December.

The 60-day 2014 legislative session begins on January 13, 2014.

In other Olympia news:

Gov. Inslee returns to the state after a trade mission to China (check out Twitter for news from that trip: #GovAsiaTrade).

State Senator Ed Murray (D-Seattle), now Seattle Mayor-elect Murray, announced yesterday (Nov. 19) that he will resign his seat effective December 31.

Sen. David Frockt, (D-Seattle) has been serving been as the interim caucus leader. Senate Democrats are expected to meet this week to elect a permanent leader. According to The News Tribune, two contenders have emerged for the Senate Democratic leadership post: State Sen. Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines) and State Sen. Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island).

State Senator Nick Harper (D-Everett) resigned his seat earlier in the month. No word yet on when that vacancy will be filled.

Several vacancies in the State House will also be filled in the coming months.

A 26th Legislative District House seat will be left vacant when Rep. Jan Angel (R-Port Orchard) moves to the State Senate (after a successful campaign for the seat in the recent election).

State Rep. Gary Alexander (R-Olympia) is resigning effective December 31, leaving a vacancy in the 2nd Legislative District, and State Rep. Larry Crouse (R-Spokane Valley) is also leaving the legislature, creating an opening in the 4th Legislative District.

The 3rd Special Session of 2013 adjourned November 9. The legislature successfully passed a package of legislation relating to the Boeing 777x aircraft.

Today in Olympia: Day 2 of Special Session

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Today is Day 2 of the 2013 3rd Special Session.

This morning, the House Finance Committee approved a proposal (House Bill 2089) to extend tax incentives for Boeing and the aerospace industry.

The proposal’s next stops are in committee meetings this afternoon: Senate Ways & Means (1:30PM), and House Appropriations (3:30PM).

Tune in to watch the sessions online at: http://tvw.org/

More Olympia news:

Sen. Ed Murray has resigned as leader of the Senate Democrats following his election as mayor of Seattle. Sen. David Frockt has been named interim leader (read more at King5.com).

The News Tribune reports on Jan Angel’s victory in the closely watched race for the State Senate seat in the 26th Legislative District.

Earlier in the week, Governor Inslee named a new Chief of Staff — longtime adviser Joby Shimomura.