The end of this week was a preview of the storyline for the remainder of the 2009 session — all budget, all the time. With the revenue forecast in, Senate Democrats are making final adjustments to their spending proposal before rolling it out, possibly late next week.
It will also be the last full week for policy committee hearings. Our request legislation (tuition setting authority for graduate and out-of-state students, streamlining the public works contracting process, and protecting sensitive information given to our endowment) all is progressing, having been heard or scheduled for hearing.
Last week, the Governor proposed a tuition surcharge for the next two years. Today’s Seattle Times has a story making it clear that Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) units would cover any surcharge. The effect of tuition increases on the GET program, which is dealing with reduced returns on investment, is a key part of overall higher education budget discussions.
Finally, mark this time — Saturday at 2:40. (No — it’s not a legislative cutoff.) That’s when the Dawgs tip it off against the Purdue Boilermakers on the way to the Sweet 16. OK — we know we have to take it one game at a time, but thanks to Coach Romar and the Husky team for providing some much needed celebration and excitement.