Time has flown by as the State Relations team has finished the 2017 regular session, which officially concluded Sunday, April 23. Here are a few highlights as we head into special session:
We are excited to announce that Governor Jay Inslee signed into law our “critical care roster” legislation (SB 5631) on Tuesday. To read more about the bill, please check out our previous blog post.
The Senate and House released their proposed capital budgets. As noted in the Senate and House 2017-19 biennial budget briefs prepared by the UW Office of Planning & Budgeting (OPB), the Senate capital budget (SB 5086) appropriates $80.7 million in new funding to the university, while the House capital budget (HB 1075) currently appropriates $57.7 million.
In comparing both capital budgets, highlights include funding for:
Seismic improvements
UW request: $25 million
Senate proposed: $10 million
*House proposed: $3 million
*The House capital budget directs an additional $11.5 million from the UW Building Account to fund Seismic Improvements on campus.
Population Health Science Building
UW request: $20 million
Senate proposed: $15 million
House proposed: $10 million
Population Health Academic Facility (T-wing)
UW request: $10 million
Senate proposed: $10 million
House proposed: $5 million
UW Bothell Building Design
UW request: $3 million
Senate proposed: $0
House proposed: $3 million
UW Tacoma Building Predesign
UW request: $500,000
Senate proposed: $500,000
House proposed: $0
Parrington Hall Renovation
UW request: $10 million
Senate proposed: $10 million
House proposed: $0
Center for Advanced Materials and Clean Energy Technology (CAMCET)
UW request: $10 million
Senate proposed: $10 million
House proposed: $12.5 million
Burke Museum
UW request: $24.2 million
Senate proposed: $24.2 million
House proposed: $24.2 million
Additionally, the proposed House capital budget directs $7.5 million of UW Building Account funds to the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) II building.
In response to the proposed operating and capital budgets, President Cauce submitted what is known as a conference letter to key Senate and House leadership to reinforce the university’s legislative priorities. The letter also advocated for sustainable tuition policy, raised concerns about proposed cuts to the Department of Environmental and Occupation Health Services, and for additional funding for the State Need Grant.
Next week, State Relations, in partnership with the Office of Planning & Budgeting and UW Medicine, will host a post-session update to campus on May 3 from 3:15PM-4:15PM in Gerberding 142. If you are faculty, staff, or a student, we would love for you to join us to engage in further discussion about the proposed budgets and other legislative info!
While we wait for the final operating and capital budgets to be negotiated, the State Relations team will be in contact with legislators and staff in Olympia as needed. We’ll also be preparing for upcoming summer and fall events, engaging with faculty and staff on campus, and trying to get more than five hours of sleep.
To keep up with the latest from Olympia, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions about state topics, please call 206-543-7604.