The Technology Alliance, an organization of leaders from Washington’s preeminent technology and related businesses and research institutions has written state lawmakers urging they lessen the impact of proposed budget cuts on the state’s four-year schools. We appreciate the support of the Technology Alliance and will continue to work with lawmakers to develop budget solutions that protect the educational and research mission of the University. Here is the body of the letter:
The Technology Alliance, an organization of leaders from Washington’s preeminent technology and related businesses and research institutions, respectfully urges our state policy makers to reject the 13% reduction in funding for our public baccalaureate degree-granting institutions contained in the Governor’s budget. We ask you instead to be strategic about any cuts to higher education and give priority to investing in university programs in science and engineering that produce the educated workforce and innovations that drive a significant portion of our present and future economy.
Higher education is an essential service to our citizens during these challenging times; history has shown that when the job market contracts, the number of people seeking higher education significantly increases. Conversely, job market contraction also results in lower state revenues thus creating an urgent need to realign expenses to the reduced revenue forecast. While we recognize these budget reductions are a necessity, we believe the Governor’s budget reduction disproportionately targets our four year institutions. Aggressive funding cuts to our four year institutions will undercut Washington’s ability to emerge from the downturn poised to compete in the 21st century economy. We appreciate the magnitude of the challenge you face in a severe economic downturn; however, we are also compelled to remind you that a significant portion of jobs resulting from near-term, “shovel-ready” projects will be transitory; the longer term viability of many of our state’s industries, such as construction, real estate and various services, will depend on the vibrancy of our innovative industries.
Washington’s economy is fueled by innovation: innovative industries directly account for nearly 12% of employment and support a total of more than 1.1 million jobs in our state. The products and services that drive our economy have shifted from physical goods – e.g., fish and timber – to goods whose content is primarily intellectual, such as software, telecommunications, biotechnology, and professional services. Eighty percent of the products and services our innovative industries produce are exported out of state, bringing needed new dollars into the state economy.
The 2008 Washington State Labor Market and Economic Report finds that four of the five fastest- growing occupations in Washington State (ranked by average annual growth rate and total number of job openings) are in computer-related fields; these fields require a bachelors-level education or higher, and are far more highly compensated than other fast-growing fields. The average annual compensation for computer-related jobs is $85,500, compared to $29,000 for the remainder of the 10 fastest-growing occupations in the state. This workforce and the goods it produces generate jobs for others – the reason 40% of total Washington employment depends on our innovative sectors.
Our state’s higher education capacity is already unbalanced; we can not afford to erode our bachelor’s and higher degree capacity and, in fact, need to significantly expand it to meet future workforce needs. We submit to you that the only way to ensure the long-term prosperity of our state and its citizens is to focus precious state resources on the programs that underpin our knowledge-based economy. A failure to do so will hinder, rather than help, Washington’s economic recovery and have significant, adverse consequences on our ability to move our state forward.
An investment in our baccalaureate and graduate degree programs and associated research is an investment in our economic recovery and future prosperity. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we equip our citizens with the knowledge and skills that enable them to be full participants in this economy.
The only way Washington can sustain the growth of desirable, high-wage jobs and maintain our position as a world leader in innovation is to invest in the degree programs and research that fuel our technology and related industries. We implore you to consider the devastating and long-term impact of the proposed 13% reduction in funding to our four-year colleges and universities, and respectfully request that the Legislature instead make strategic investments in science, engineering, and other high-demand, high-impact programs that are and will continue to fuel Washington’s economy and quality of life for our citizens.
Best regards,
Rob Arnold
President, Geospiza, Inc.Susannah Malarkey Executive Director, Technology Alliance