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News & Updates

Gov. Inslee unveils state budget proposals amid revenue shortfall

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Today, Governor Jay Inslee released his operating, capital, and transportation budget proposals for the 2025-27 biennium. These proposals come as Washington state faces a projected budget shortfall of $10 to $12 billion over the next four years, caused by declining revenue, rising inflation, higher costs for state services, increased program caseloads, and growing workforce costs. The state’s budgets must balance over four years.

To address this shortfall, Gov. Inslee’s proposals include a combination of expenditure reductions and new revenue sources. The governor has proposed cutting or delaying approximately $2 billion in expenditures, which includes freezing nonessential hiring, contracts, and travel, as well as shifting surplus funds from state pension accounts. Additionally, he has introduced two new revenue sources. The first is a 1% Wealth Tax on Washington residents with global wealth exceeding $100 million, which is expected to generate $10.3 billion over the next four years. The second is a business and occupation (B&O) tax increase for businesses in the “services and other activities” category with annual revenues over $1 million, projected to raise $2.6 billion.

Governor Inslee emphasized during his press conference that the goal of his budget proposals is to preserve state services without taking steps backward.

For the UW, the operating budget proposal made only minor adjustments to existing state appropriations, including a 0.1% reduction in funding totaling about $720,000. Compensation adjustments for 2025-27 were authorized for collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) with represented staff and non-represented faculty and staff. However, the UW’s request for 100% state funding of compensation and benefits was not met. Additionally, none of the UW’s policy requests, including funding for high-demand degrees and student support services at all three campuses, were funded.

The operating budget proposal did include $182 million to maintain the Washington College Grant.

In the capital budget proposal, the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities in Seattle was fully funded. However, Seattle’s decarbonization projects were not funded due to a decrease in available funds from the Climate Commitment Account (CCA). Two energy renewal projects did receive appropriations from the State Bond Account.

Gov. Inslee’s budget proposal marks the beginning of the state’s budget process. The 2025-27 state operating, capital, and transportation budgets will be decided during the upcoming legislative session, starting on Jan. 13. The UW Office of State Relations will be in Olympia advocating to preserve UW investments in the budgets and advance the University’s priorities. For the latest session updates, visit the News & Updates section of this website.

UW shares 2025 state budget priorities with lawmakers during Committee Assembly Days

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Last week, state lawmakers gathered in Olympia for House and Senate Committee Assembly Days, during which they held educational briefings and planned for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. Newly elected members were also invited to participate, offering them a chance to meet their colleagues and get a preview of the legislative process. 

In the higher education committees of the House and Senate, lawmakers heard presentations on state financial aid programs, FASFA completion efforts, improving reentry program outcomes, student perspectives on higher education, and notable early childhood education workforce development programs. 

The fiscal committees received important updates on the budget outlook for the 2025 session, including state revenue collections reports and caseload forecasts.

Throughout the week, the Office of State Relations shared the University of Washington’s 2025 legislative priorities with legislators and their staff. In the operating budget, the UW is focused on core state investment, including fully funding faculty and staff compensation, and supporting high-demand degree programs across all three campuses. In the capital budget, the UW’s priorities will include securing funding for the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities and campus decarbonization initiatives for the Seattle campus. For detailed information about the UW’s legislative priorities, view the 2025 legislative agenda here. 

In addition to a number of presentations from UW Medicine faculty and leadership, UW Professor Heather Hill had the opportunity to present in the House Labor and Workplace Standards committee regarding Paid Family and Medical Leave Program. Her presentation focused on a report regarding a Job Protection Study and she made several recommendations to the legislature that would help make the program more transparent and sustainable  

Gov. Jay Inslee will kick off the budget process with the release of his budget proposals, which are expected to be released on Tuesday, December 17. The House and Senate will develop their proposals during the 105-day legislative session, which starts on January 13, concludes on April 27. For updates on the UW’s advocacy efforts during session, visit the News & Updates section. 

Sen. Wellman tours UW’s Haring Center for Inclusive Education

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Today, Sen. Lisa Wellman, chair of the Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, toured the UW Haring Center for Inclusive Education with Senate Democratic Caucus staff members, Heather Lewis-Lachner and Michael Althauser, and her legislative assistant, Noah Burgher. The Haring Center’s Principal Chris Matsumoto and Director Kathleen Artman Meeker led the tour, offering valuable insights into the Center’s work.

Since its founding in 1964, the Haring Center has been committed to creating inclusive communities through early childhood education, professional development, and research. They currently serve nearly 180 children at their physical location, providing early support, preschool, and kindergarten classes where children with and without disabilities learn together in an inclusive, world-class environment.

The group had the opportunity to observe classrooms in action, as well as visit one classroom while the children were out at recess. They also toured various play and learning areas within the facility.

In addition to its educational programs, the Haring Center is at the forefront of research aimed at advancing inclusive learning. The Center develops best practices in inclusive education and shares this knowledge with communities and public schools throughout the state, helping to improve educational outcomes for children with and without disabilities.

The Haring Center also trains current and future educators. Undergraduate and graduate students in fields like education, social work, and occupational and speech therapy gain hands-on experience in inclusive classrooms. Furthermore, the Center provides professional development services to over 15,000 education professionals annually.

During the tour, the attendees had the opportunity to meet a current educator, as well as Ariane Gauvreau, the senior director of the Professional Development and Training Team, to learn more about the Center’s work in training and in-service development.

Thank you to Sen. Wellman, Heather, Michael, and Noah for taking the time to visit the Haring Center and learn about the impactful work being done to foster inclusivity in education.

 

WA General Election results certified by the Secretary of State

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The Secretary of State certified Washington’s general election results today. Voter turnout for the election was 79%, down from 84% in 2020, when the last presidential race was on the ballot.

The election results will keep Washington blue, with Democrats winning all of the partisan statewide executive races, as well as securing 60% majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

All nine statewide executive offices were up for election. Four races—Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner—did not feature incumbent candidates on the ballot. The election results for the statewide offices are (*incumbent):

  • Governor: Bob Ferguson
  • Lieutenant Governor: Denny Heck*
  • Secretary of State: Steve Hobbs*
  • State Treasurer: Mike Pellicciotti*
  • State Auditor: Pat McCarthy*
  • Attorney General: Nick Brown
  • Commissioner of Public Lands: Dave Upthegrove
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction: Chris Reykdal*
  • Insurance Commissioner: Patty Kuderer

In the state legislature, all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 of the 49 Senate seats were on the ballot. Democrats gained a seat in each chamber, now holding 59 seats in the House and 30 seats in the Senate. With these 60% majorities, Democrats will be able to pass bond votes for the capital and transportation budgets without the support of Republicans. Historically, both budgets have been bipartisan.

Five newly elected Representatives are UW graduates: Rep. Natasha Hill (Legislative District 3-Spokane), Rep. Lisa Parshley (LD 22-Olympia), Rep. Adam Bernbaum (LD 24-Port Angeles), Rep. Michael Keaton (LD 25-Puyallup) and Rep. Adison Richards (LD 26-Kitsap County). They will join 24 UW alumni already in the Legislature. UW alumni make up almost 20% of the Senate and over 40% of the House of Representatives. For more information about the UW graduates who serve in state elected office, visit UW in Your Community.

Additionally, four initiatives appeared on the ballot, three of which were rejected:

  • I-2066 – Passed. Concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification.
  • I-2109 – Rejected. Concerns taxes (capital gains).
  • I-2117 – Rejected. Concerns carbon tax credit trading.
  • I-2124 – Rejected. Concerns state long term care insurance.

Finally, Washington voters decided one contested race for the Washington Supreme Court. In a tight race, Sal Mungia defeated Dave Larson.

To view the final election results, visit the Secretary of State’s website here. For those also interested in the federal elections or activities at the national level, visit the website of the UW Office of Federal Relations.

Washington’s newly elected state officials will begin their terms on Jan. 13, when the 2025 legislative session begins. Over the course of the 105-day session, lawmakers will work to decide the state’s 2025-27 operating, capital, and transportation budgets.

This year in Olympia, the University of Washington will be focused on priorities critical to the University’s ability to serve students and employees, local industry, and communities across the state. The UW’s 2025 legislative agenda can be found here. For updates during legislative session, visit the News & Updates section of this website.

November forecast shows decline in state revenue

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Washington’s projected revenue collections are down, according to the forecast released yesterday by the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council.

Projected general fund revenue for the current 2023-25 biennium, ending on June 30, 2025, is $66.39 billion, a decrease of $89 million from the September forecast. For the 2025-27 biennium, revenue is projected at $75.43 billion, down $181 million from September, while revenue for the 2027-29 biennium is forecasted at $72.85 billion, a reduction of $131 million. In total, general fund revenue collections over the three biennia are projected to decrease by $401 million since the September forecast.

Forecasted revenue for the Workforce Education Investment Account (WEIA), which funds student financial aid and higher education priorities, has also declined slightly. The account is expected to decrease by $4 million in the current 2023-25 biennium, followed by further declines of $7.6 million in 2025-27 and $9.6 million in 2027-29. Estimated WEIA revenue for the 2025-27 biennium is $944.7 million, and it is projected to reach $1.019 billion in the 2027-29 biennium.

Over the next four years, the state is projected to have a $10 to $12 billion budget deficit according to the the Washington State Office of Financial Management. The slowdown in general fund revenue growth is attributed to reduced retail sales and lower business and occupation (B&O) tax collections, while rising inflation and costs, higher demand for state services, and increased workforce costs present additional challenges.

With overall revenue collections down, the Legislature is likely to face challenges developing the state budget. By law, the state is required to enact a balanced budget over the next two biennia. Governor Jay Inslee will release his budget proposals in mid-December, which must also balance over the four-year period. His proposals will provide insight into some of the tough decisions the state may need to consider in the development of the final budgets during the upcoming session.

The next revenue forecast will be released in mid-March, during the 2025 legislative session. With session scheduled to end on April 27, legislators will use both the March forecast and this one to inform their final budget decisions.

For more detailed information about the economic and revenue forecast, visit the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council website.

Rep. Slatter and Sen. Nguyen engage with Allen School students

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Yesterday, Rep. Vandana Slatter and Sen. Joe Nguyen visited the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, where they engaged with students to learn about their academic and extracurricular achievements. The students shared their stories, highlighting their involvement in programs that support underrepresented and underserved communities in accessing and thriving in the fields of computer science and engineering.

Many of the students in attendance participated in Allen Scholars, a year-long cohort-based program supporting first-generation, low-income, and historically underserved students from Washington State who are pursuing degrees in computer science or computer engineering. This program has received support from the Washington State Legislature in recent years, helping to ensure its continued success. Others were involved in Changemakers in Computing, a program that seeks to increase participation of underrepresented and economically disadvantaged high school students in computer science. This initiative targets rising juniors and seniors in Washington State high schools to introduce them to computer science and engineering and prepare them for further study in the disciplines.

In addition to sharing their experiences in these programs, many students discussed their innovative research, roles as teaching assistants, and work as Allen School ambassadors. These ambassadors engage and build connections with K-12 students, inspiring the next generation by demonstrating that computer science and engineering are not only accessible but fields with opportunity and promise.

Hailing from various backgrounds and regions across Washington state, these students exemplify the future of the technology industry in Washington and beyond.

Rep. Slatter and Sen. Nguyen, both members of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Caucus, are passionate about advancing technology and innovation in Washington. Rep. Slatter chairs the Postsecondary & Workforce Development Committee, while Sen. Nguyen chairs the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and serves as Vice Chair of the Ways & Means Committee.

During their visit, the legislators engaged in meaningful conversations with the students about their academic journeys, their involvement in the Allen School’s programs, and how they are making an impact in their communities both now and in the future. The discussion also touched on advocacy, with students learning how to effectively communicate with lawmakers and about the state’s political process.

The discussion underscored the pivotal role that programs like Allen Scholars and Changemakers in Computing play in shaping a more inclusive and diverse technology workforce. It also provided a valuable opportunity for legislators and students to engage and share their unique perspectives and experiences with one another.

Thank you, Rep. Slatter and Sen. Nguyen, for your ongoing support of the UW and our students.

Sen. Joe Nguyen (middle left) and Rep. Vandana Slatter (middle) with Allen School students and leadership.

2024 General Election: Washington State’s Early Results

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Washington’s initial election results indicate that the state will remain deep-blue. Voters made decisions on statewide offices and initiatives, which will bring changes to the state’s political landscape.

VOTER TURNOUT
Washington has more than 5 million registered voters and as of this evening, more than 74% of ballots have been returned and total voter turnout is at 58.5%. For reference, turnout in Washington was just over 84% in 2020, when the last presidential race was on the ballot.

Since Washington votes almost entirely by mail, votes are still being tabulated with an estimated 787,000 on hand to be counted. All ballots postmarked by Nov. 5 or dropped at an official ballot box by 8 p.m. on Nov. 5 will be counted.

Up-to-date election results are available daily on the Secretary of State’s website here. Please note that the results included in this post were updated on the website on Nov. 6 at 6:28 p.m.

Final election results will be certified by the Secretary of State on or before Dec. 5.

STATEWIDE EXECUTIVE RACES
All nine of Washington’s statewide offices were up for election in 2024, with four races—Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner—featuring no incumbent candidates on the ballot.

Democrats are poised to win or have won all of the statewide offices. Here are the results:

  • Governor: Bob Ferguson (D). Current Attorney General Bob Ferguson defeated former King County Sheriff and Congressman Dave Reichert (R). This was the first gubernatorial race in 12 years without an incumbent, as Gov. Jay Inslee chose not to seek re-election.
  • Lieutenant Governor: Denny Heck* (D) defeated challenger Dan Matthews (R).
  • Secretary of State: Steve Hobbs* (D) won against Dale Whitaker (R).
  • State Treasurer: Mike Pellicciotti* (D) beat challenger Sharon Hanek (R).
  • State Auditor: Pat McCarthy* (D) defeated Matt Hawkins (R).
  • Attorney General: Nick Brown (D). In this open race, former U.S. Attorney Nick Brown won against Pasco Mayor Pete Serrano (R).
  • Commissioner of Public Lands: Dave Upthegrove (D). In this open race, King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove is ahead with 53.16% of the vote against former Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R).
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction: Chris Reykdal* leads with 53.52% of the vote against David Olson.
  • Insurance Commissioner: Patty Kuderer (D). In this open race, State Sen. Patty Kuderer won against her colleague, Sen. Phil Fortunato (R), who will return to the Senate to complete his term.

*Incumbent

The results for the statewide executive races are here.

LEGISLATIVE RACES
In addition to the statewide offices, all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 of the 49 Senate seats are up for election.

Democrats entered the election with strong majorities in both the House (58-40) and Senate (29-20) and early results suggest that these majorities are likely to grow. If Democrats win 59 seats in the House, they will secure a 60% supermajority, and the same will be true in the Senate if they win 30 seats.

Many races already have clear winners, but several are still too close to call, including:

State Senate

  • Legislative District 10 (Island County): Incumbent Sen. Ron Muzzall (R) is in a tight race with Janet St. Clair (D), with just 61 votes separating them. Muzzall has 49.89% of the vote, while St. Clair leads slightly with 49.99%.
  • Legislative District 17 (Clark County): Paul Harris (R) is ahead with 50.65% of the vote against Marla Keethler (D), who has 49.24%.
  • Legislative District 18 (Battle Ground): In this open seat, Adrian Cortes (D) is narrowly leading with 50.82% of the vote compared to Brad Benton, who has 49%.

State House

  • Legislative District 17 (Clark County): In the race to replace Rep. Paul Harris (R), who is running for the senate, Terri Niles (D) leads with 50.01% of the vote against David Stuebe (R), who has 49.86%
  • Legislative District 18 (Battle Ground): In this open seat, John Ley (R) has a narrow lead with 50.1% of the vote against John Zingale, who has 49.75%.
  • Legislative District 26 (Gig Harbor & Bremerton): In this open seat, Adison Richards (D) leads with 52% of the vote, ahead of former Rep. Jesse Young (R), who has 47.87%.

View the results for your legislative district here. Don’t know which legislative district you live in? Find out here.

BALLOT INITIATIVES
Washington voters have rejected three of the four initiatives on the ballot, with the fourth still too close to call:

  • I-2066 – May Pass: 51.32% Yes, 46.68% No. Concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification. This measure would repeal or prohibit certain laws and regulations that discourage natural gas use and/or promote electrification, and require certain utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers.
  • I-2109 – Rejected. Concerns taxes (capital gains). This measure would repeal an excise tax imposed on the sale or exchange of certain long-term capital assets by individuals who have annual capital gains of over $250,000.
  • I-2117 – Rejected. Concerns carbon tax credit trading. This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, and repeal legislation establishing a cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • I-2124 – Rejected. Concerns state long term care insurance. This measure would require that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep coverage under the long-term services and supports trust program and could opt-out at any time. It would also repeal a law governing an exemption for employees.

See the ballot initiative results here.

JUDICIAL RACES
Voters had three Washington Supreme Court justice races on the ballot, but only one featured two candidates. However, that race is proving to be a nail-biter, with Sal Mungia leading Dave Larson by a narrow margin of 49.84% to 49.66%.

There were also a number of Court of Appeals and county judge races on the ballot.

The judicial election results can be found here.

FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS – WA STATE
At the federal level, Washington voters cast their ballots for a new President and for one of the state’s two Senate seats. Additionally, all ten of Washington’s House of Representative seats are up for election.

President
Early Wednesday, Donald J. Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris did, however, secure Washington State’s electoral votes.

U.S. Senate
In the Senate race, incumbent Senator Maria Cantwell (D) defeated challenger Raul Garcia. However, the Senate will shift in 2025, with Senate Republicans flipping three seats and thereby gaining control of the chamber, taking over from the Democrats.

U.S. House
In Washington’s House races, Democrat incumbent Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, and Marilyn Strickland all secured new terms. While the race hasn’t officially been called, incumbent Rep. Kim Schrier (D) is also likely to be re-elected.

Additionally, Spokane County Treasurer Michael Baumgartner (R) and State Senator Emily Randall (D) were elected to Congress, succeeding retiring Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Derek Kilmer, respectively.

Finally, the outcomes of the races for Congressional Districts 3 and 4 remain too close to call. In District 3, incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) holds a narrow lead over challenger Joe Kent (R). Meanwhile, in District 4, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R) is leading against Jerrod Sessler (R) in a tightly contested race.

For more detailed information on the federal elections, visit the UW Office of Federal Relations’ website.

To view the results of the federal elections in Washington, click here.

LOOKING AHEAD
Washington’s newly elected state officials will begin their terms on Jan. 13, coinciding with the start of the 2025 legislative session. During this long 105-day session, the state’s biennial operating, capital, and transportation budgets will be decided.

In the meantime, Senate Democrats will elect a new Majority Leader following the retirement of current Majority Leader Andy Billig. Legislators in both the House and Senate will also receive their committee assignments, which are expected to be announced before Assembly Days in the second week of December. Assembly Days serve as a “mini-session” for legislators to prepare for the full session ahead.

Also in December, Gov. Inslee will release his operating, capital, and transportation budget proposals, kicking off the budget process.

To stay informed on the University of Washington’s advocacy efforts in Olympia this session, visit the News and Updates section of this website. The UW’s 2025 legislative agenda will be available here in the coming weeks.

2024 General Election in Washington State: What You Need to Know

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Today marks the general election in Washington state, as well as across the nation. While national headlines may dominate the news, significant changes are set to take place at the state level where numerous offices and ballot measures are up for consideration.

Voting in Washington State
Washington has more than 5 million registered voters and so far, almost 57% of ballots have been returned.

Washington votes almost entirely by mail so all ballots postmarked by today or dropped off at an official ballot box by 8 p.m. will be counted. Additionally, individuals can still register to vote and cast their ballots in person by the same deadline.

The first election results will be posted on the Secretary of State’s website tonight around 8 p.m. After today, daily updates will be available on the website after 5 p.m. Final results will be certified by the Secretary of State on or before Dec. 5.

For up-to-date election results, visit the Secretary of State’s website here.

The Secretary of State’s elections page offers comprehensive resources for voters, including voter eligibility and registration details, information about initiatives and referenda, voting data and research, and educational and outreach materials.

Statewide Offices on the Ballot
All nine of Washington’s statewide executive positions are on the ballot this year:

  • Governor
  • Lieutenant Governor
  • Secretary of State
  • State Treasurer
  • State Auditor
  • Attorney General
  • Commissioner of Public Lands
  • Superintendent of Public Instruction
  • Insurance Commissioner

Notably, Washington will elect a new governor for the first time in 12 years, as Gov. Jay Inslee has opted not to seek reelection. The races for Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, and Insurance Commissioner are also open, with no incumbents running.

Legislative Races
In addition to the statewide offices, all 98 seats in the Washington House of Representatives and 25 of the 49 Senate seats are up for election.

Currently, Democrats hold majorities in both the House (58-40) and Senate (29-20) and are likely to see their majorities expand. Additionally, next year will bring new faces to the legislature, with more than a dozen races featuring no incumbent candidates.

Ballot Initiatives
Voters will also consider four statewide ballot initiatives:

  • I-2066 concerns regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification. This measure would repeal or prohibit certain laws and regulations that discourage natural gas use and/or promote electrification, and require certain utilities and local governments to provide natural gas to eligible customers.
  • I-2109 concerns taxes. This measure would repeal an excise tax imposed on the sale or exchange of certain long-term capital assets by individuals who have annual capital gains of over $250,000.
  • I-2117 concerns carbon tax credit trading. This measure would prohibit state agencies from imposing any type of carbon tax credit trading, and repeal legislation establishing a cap and invest program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • I-2124 concerns state long term care insurance. This measure would require that employees and self-employed people must elect to keep coverage under the long-term services and supports trust program and could opt-out at any time. It would also repeal a law governing an exemption for employees.

Judicial Elections
Voters will have the opportunity to elect three Washington State Supreme Court justices, although two of the races are unopposed. In addition, several Court of Appeals and county judge positions are on the ballot.

Federal Elections
At the federal level, Washington voters will cast their ballots for a new President and for one of the state’s two Senate seats. Additionally, all ten of Washington’s House of Representative seats are up for election.

For more details about the federal elections, visit the UW Office of Federal Relations’ website.

Looking Ahead
Washington’s newly elected state officials will assume office on the second Monday in January, coinciding with the start of the 2025 legislative session.

To stay updated on the University of Washington’s advocacy efforts in Olympia this upcoming session, visit the news and updates section of this website. The UW’s 2025 legislative agenda will be available here in the next few weeks.

If you have any questions about the UW’s priorities or lobbying, please reach out to Morgan Hickel, Associate Director of State Relations, at mhickel@uw.edu or 206-303-8864.

Gov. Inslee and Sen. Nguyen Celebrate the UW Clean Energy Institute’s New Battery Lab

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The UW Clean Energy Institute (CEI) held an event last Friday at the Washington Clean Energy Testbeds to celebrate the launch of their new open-access battery lab, which is set to open in the summer of 2025. The new lab will allow for scaled prototyping of emerging battery technologies and will help drive innovation to meet the demand for batteries in Washington and beyond.  

Elected officials, including Governor Jay Inslee and Senator Joe Nguyen, were in attendance along with climate tech and community leaders, climate researchers, and media. CEI Director Dan Schwartz opened the event by sharing his enthusiasm for the lab’s promise to advance research and development in transformative technologies for industries like transportation, as well as the educational opportunities it will provide.  
Governor Inslee and Senator Nguyen then took the opportunity to speak. Governor Inslee emphasized that the Testbeds and the new lab will foster the development of next-generation clean tech that will improve our lives while also training people across the state for careers in clean tech and battery engineering. Meanwhile, Senator Nguyen highlighted that expanding clean energy resources bolsters Washington’s economy and paves the way for a more sustainable, healthier future.   

Following this, the attendees gathered downstairs for a tour of the Testbeds. They viewed a battery demonstration and visited the labs and tools used by students in the College of Engineering’s Battery Engineering Graduate Certificate program. This program is designed for working professionals in the engineering field to grow their understanding of battery manufacturing and storage. As the need for renewable and clean energy expands, CEI is helping to train Washington’s future workforce to meet these needs. 

 The Testbeds and new battery lab would not be possible without state support. The state invested $7.5 million from the Climate Commitment Account into the new 1,600-square-foot lab.

Thank you, Governor Inslee and Senator Nguyen, for your ongoing support of CEI. 

 

Photo Credit: Kerry Dahlen for UW CEI 

Capital budget leaders and staff briefed on the UW’s 2025 capital priorities

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Last week, Rep. Steve Tharinger, Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, and legislative and gubernatorial staff visited UW Seattle for a briefing on and tour of the UW’s 2025 capital budget priorities. Attendees were briefed on the University’s long-term capital plan, campus asset renewal program, and recently completed or in progress capital projects.

UW staff then dove into the University’s 2025 capital budget requests:

$125M for the construction of a new Chemical Sciences Building and the strategic renovation of Bagley Hall. Constructed in 1937 and 1957, current Chemical Sciences facilities are overwhelmed by student demand and program constraints and do not meet the requirements for interdisciplinary, modern science education and research. Chemistry is a core program at UW and is required for students in most STEM and health science degree programs. Annually, chemistry teaches 68,000 student hours and current facilities serve more than 18,000 students. Additionally, chemical sciences research fuels discoveries and innovation in clean energy, quantum, artificial intelligence, and more. New facilities will help meet course demand and increase degree production, improve interdisciplinary learning, attract and retain world-class faculty, increase federal grant funding for cutting-edge research, and strengthen relationships with industry partners, and grow workforce pipelines.

$292.6M in Climate Commitment Account funding for 10 projects to support the transition to 100% clean energy at UW Seattle. The UW is diligently working through a comprehensive five-part strategy to decarbonize the energy systems on the Seattle campus. This is a monumental undertaking, particularly because UW Seattle’s current energy system has served the campus for 100+ years, is capacity-constrained, and no longer aligns with sustainability goals. The UW seeks funding to support the first 10 projects outlined in the clean energy strategy, which will help modernize the UW’s energy infrastructure, propel long-term decarbonization efforts, and enhance compliance with state and local regulations.

After the briefing, legislators and staff toured Bagley Hall and the Chemical Sciences Library, including classrooms and labs. Throughout the tour, they had the opportunity to connect with current students and faculty and learn from them about their studies, research, and needs for the new facilities.

For detailed information about the UW’s 2025 capital budget requests, see our decision packages on the Washington State Office of Financial Management website. The UW Office of State Relations will also post the University’s 2025 legislative agenda later this fall.

Thank you to Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and Rep. Steve Tharinger, as well as John Wilson-Tepeli, Kate Henry, Michael Bezanson, Alec Osenbach, Kelsey Rote, and Ramona Nabors, for visiting the UW and for your continued support!