UW Regents Jay Cunningham, Leonor Fuller, and David Zeeck and former Regent Herb Simon traveled to Olympia today to thank legislators for the investments included for the University in the House and Senate operating and capital budget proposals and to encourage them to retain those investments in the final compromise budgets.
The House and Senate supported all of the UW’s top requests in their budget proposals. Their operating budget proposals appropriated funding for the School of Dentistry’s Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program, the Allen School Computer Science & Engineering Scholars (formerly Startup) Program, and UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center. On the capital side, funds were provided to design the modernization of Chemical Science and renovation of Bagley Hall, as well as for energy renewal and decarbonization projects on all three UW campuses – Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma – and UW Medical Center-Montlake and -Northwest.
The regents’ visit and message of thanks was well-timed since lawmakers from both chambers are actively negotiating the final budgets, which are likely to be released the week of March 4. The last day of session, known as Sine Die, is scheduled for March 7.
For questions about the budgets or legislative process, contact the Office of State Relations.
Pictures – Left: Regents Cunningham and Fuller, Rep. Darya Farivar, Regent Zeeck, former Regent Simon; Right: Regents with Rep. Mari Leavitt