SB 5460, which would freeze most state agency hiring, equipment purchases, contracts, and travel cleared the Senate today on a unanimous vote. Before voting the bill out, Senators agreed to an amendment offered by Sen. Ed Murray which would exempt activities at universities from the freeze when they are paid for with non-state revenues (such as federal grants or patient revenues).
This is a significant improvement to the bill and we thank Sen. Murray for bringing it to his colleagues. We will continue to work with lawmakers on other areas where we believe added flexibility could gain the state budget savings they are seeking while helping the UW meet our educational, research, and health-care missions.