The Office of State Relations serves as the principal liaison between the University of Washington and state government. Through strong relationships with state elected officials, their offices, and state agencies, we work to advance the University’s mission and legislative priorities. We collaborate closely with the UW community, the state’s five other public baccalaureate institutions, community and technical colleges, and industry partners to identify shared interests and influence public policy. Additionally, we help ensure compliance with state advocacy laws.
Legislative Agendas & Outcomes
State support is essential to University operations and our pursuit of providing an excellent and accessible education for Washingtonians, improving the health and sustainability of our state, and promoting a prosperous economy.
What is Lobbying?
UW employees must coordinate advocacy with the Office of State Relations to ensure clear and consistent communication and compliance with state laws. Learn more about the state’s lobbying laws and the UW’s related rules.
Resources & Partners
Discover more about the Washington’s legislative process, including how a bill becomes a law, and explore the many internal and external organizations the Office of State Relations partners with.
Latest News and Updates
Session news: Capital budget proposals include funding for the UW's top priority
April 1, 2025
Yesterday, the House and Senate unveiled their bipartisan capital budget proposals, which include full funding for the UW’s top priority: the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities in Seattle. Updating current facilities, originally built in 1937 and 1957, will help meet student demand, increase degree production, better support cutting-edge research, and foster innovation. In…
Session news: Senate & House unveil 2025-27 operating budget proposals amid budget deficit
March 28, 2025
The Senate and House released their proposed operating budgets for the 2025-27 biennium on Monday. The state is facing a budget deficit of nearly $13 billion over the next four years, caused by lagging revenue collections and increasing caseloads for state agencies and programs. To address this shortfall, both budgets use a mix of cuts…
Session news: State revenue projected to drop by $845 million
March 19, 2025
The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released the state’s first quarterly revenue forecast for 2025 yesterday, showing a decrease of $845 million in revenue collections over the next four years compared to the November 2024 forecast. By law, the state must maintain a balanced four-year budget, which is why projections are through 2029.…