Yesterday, the House and Senate unveiled their bipartisan capital budget proposals, which include full funding for the UW’s top priority: the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities in Seattle. Updating current facilities, originally built in 1937 and 1957, will help meet student demand, increase degree production, better support cutting-edge research, and foster innovation.
In addition, the House proposal includes funding for decarbonization efforts on the Seattle campus. The UW has developed a comprehensive five-part strategy to guide campus decarbonization and is ready to begin implementing it. This funding will also help the UW work toward meeting the targets set forth in the state’s Climate Commitment Act and Clean Building Performance Standards. While the funding provided does not cover the entire request, it allows the UW to begin work and offers flexibility in prioritizing projects. The Senate proposal, however, does not include this funding, so the UW Office for State Relations is advocating for its inclusion in the final compromise budget.
Overall, both budget proposals are positive for the UW. The House and Senate will now work together on the compromise budget, which must pass both chambers by the end of session on April 27.
Details about the operating budget proposals can be found here.
For questions about the budgets or the legislative process, please contact the UW Office of State Relations Associate Director Morgan Hickel at mhickel@uw.edu.