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News & Updates

News & Updates

WA State holds primary election

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The 2020 primary election was held yesterday, Aug. 4. Washington’s top-two primary system allows voters to choose any candidate running in each race, regardless of political party. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

There are more than 4.6 million registered voters in Washington who vote entirely by mail. While ballots will continue to be collected and counted over the next several weeks, the state is already seeing higher voter turnout rates than the 2016 primary election. The election results will be certified by the Secretary of State by Aug. 21.

The Washington State House of Representatives has 98 seats and the Senate has 49. Democrats currently control both the House (57-41) and Senate (28-21). This election cycle, all 98 House seats are up for election, as are 26 of the Senate seats. Also on the ballot are the state’s 10 U.S. Representative seats and all statewide positions, including Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Public Lands, Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Insurance Commissioner.

To view the results, click here. They are updated daily until Aug. 18.

Two year economic forecast confirms steep decline in state revenue

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The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released their June quarterly report yesterday showing the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy. The Council predicts a staggering $4.5 billion revenue shortfall for the current 2019-21 biennium. The state’s General Fund has a cumulative shortfall of approximately $452 million (5.6%) since February 11.

Washington employment numbers have also seen sharp declines. In April, an unprecedented 468,800 jobs were lost. Numbers increased slightly in May, but the total decline in employment across all sectors since February is 841,200.

There is one bright spot. According to the Council, the state is seeing an increase in cannabis excise tax and license fee collections. They also reported a small uptick in consumer confidence and small business optimism and sales expectations.

State lawmakers are expected to go into special session in late summer or early fall to address the budget crisis. Before making budget cuts or new revenue decisions, many lawmakers are working to determine what federal aid might be available to help the state deal with the crisis. They are also monitoring pandemic and economic recovery numbers. A decision on the timing of special session could come as early as next week.

Additionally, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he is canceling raises for approximately 5,600 state employees and 40,000 state employees will be required to take weekly furlough days through the fall. These actions will save the state $55 million over the next year. The directive does not apply to higher education institutions. Leadership at the UW—with feedback from the University community—are figuring out next steps.

To view the complete Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council April report, click here.

The UW community continues to navigate through these difficult and confusing times, and resources have been developed to help guide students, faculty, and staff. For the many questions and concerns that have emerged, please visit the UW’s COVID-19 FAQ page for updates and resources as they become available.

State forecast shows increase in unemployment, but COVID-19 impacts not yet available

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Today, the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council provided an update on the state’s fiscal reality and outlook prior to the usual quarterly forecast scheduled in June. The forecast is based on February numbers and incorporates the Governor’s budget vetoes. Due to normal delays in fiscal reporting, the forecast does not yet show a complete picture of the economic impacts of COVID-19 since shutdowns began in March.

Revenue collections for the state’s General Fund from March 11–April 10 were $3.5 million (0.2%) lower than the February forecast. In total, the collections since February were reported to be $6.1 million above the forecast. However, the numbers reflect February’s taxable activity, so do not show the impact of COVID-19.

Additionally, the state’s unemployment rate increased to 5.1% in March from 3.8% in February. This rate is based on numbers from early March before COVID-19 distancing measures were in place. Since then, claims for unemployment insurance have reportedly climbed to unprecedented levels.

In June, the quarterly economic and revenue forecast will be released as usual. Revenue collections will be significantly impacted by COVID-19.  Many sectors have already seen substantial hits, including manufacturing, a large economic driver in our region. It remains to be seen what these impacts will look like for the UW.

To view the complete and in-depth Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council April report, click here.

The UW community continues to navigate through these difficult and confusing times, and resources have been developed to help guide students, faculty, and staff. For the many questions and concerns that have emerged, please visit the UW’s COVID-19 FAQ page for updates as they become available. The pages includes resources, situation updates, call center information, and more.

Governor signs budget but vetoes new spending in response to COVID-19

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On Friday, April 3, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the supplemental operating budget into law, but vetoed 147 new funding items approved by the legislature to reduce spending by nearly $445 million over the next three years. The Governor used his veto powers in anticipation of a significant decline in state revenue due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

One of the most significant impacts to the higher education community is the Governor’s veto stopping the transfer of funds from the General Fund to the Workforce Education Investment Account (WEIA, created by HB 2158) to ensure it remains solvent due to increased demand for the Washington College Grant. This may complicate the funding available in the WEIA for previously committed allocations for student financial aid and critical higher education needs.

Gov. Inslee also vetoed funding for multiple new UW programs and projects, including technology to improve the UW Medicine’s paramedic training program.

However, the UW retained funding for requested one-time bonuses for the UW’s represented employees, as well as the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation (JCATI). The UW also retained the foundational support received last session and received additional funds to train sexual assault nurse examiners in rural areas around the state, address sexual misconduct on campus, and increase telemedicine efforts.

Additionally, the University obtained an initial allocation of $10 million for COVID-19 testing at UW Medicine. UW Medicine performs nearly 75 percent of the COVID-19 testing for Washington state, and has now conducted over 50,000 tests. The UW will continue to work closely with state and federal partners on COVID-19 response efforts and remain an integral part of the ongoing fight to slow the virus.

For a comprehensive summary of the Governor’s budget actions, take a look at the “2020 State Supplemental Budgets” brief on the UW Office of Planning & Budgeting Briefs page.

The legislature will likely reconvene for a special session after the next revenue forecast in June to address COVID-19 impacts. Stay tuned for updates.

News from Olympia: Legislature adjourns after passing supplemental budget

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On Thursday, March 12, the legislature adjourned on time after passing the 2019-21 supplemental budget. In the final hours, the legislature included $200 million for the state’s COVID-19 response efforts. These funds go towards a comprehensive response to the virus including greater access to testing, supporting efforts to slow transmission, and expanding unemployment insurance for displaced workers. The bill that provided these funds (HB 2965) was a top priority of the legislature in the final weeks and passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

Other supplemental budget highlights include the preservation of critical higher education and financial aid investments made last session. The legislature fulfilled the UW’s request for re-appropriation of one-time payments to represented employees, as well as reauthorized and funded the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology and Innovation (JCATI). Additionally, numerous provisos for research projects and programs at the UW were included in the final budget, one of which was $300,000 to help train sexual assault nurse examiners in rural areas around the state.

In the capital budget, $1 million in pre-design funding for phase 2 of the Magnuson Health Science Center renovation and replacement project was appropriated to the University. The current health sciences complex operates well beyond capacity and with mostly original infrastructure. This project will ultimately allow the UW to further increase and modernize our health science workforce training capacity. The UW also received $100,000 to restore the historic ASUW Shell House.

For a comprehensive summary of the operating and capital budgets, view these briefs prepared by the UW’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

The UW Office of State Relations is grateful to the UW community for their efforts in Olympia this session. Stay tuned for updates during the interim.

News from Olympia: House and Senate release budget proposals

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It’s week eight and opposite house fiscal committee cutoff is today. Any bills that moved through their house-of-origin (the chamber where they were introduced) must now progress through the opposite house for consideration. In order for bills to get the Governor’s desk, they must move off the floor of the opposite house by 5 p.m. Friday, March 6.

Here are some highlights from the past two weeks:

House and Senate publish budget proposals
The House and Senate released their proposed 2019-21 supplemental operating and capital budgets. The proposals focus on affordable housing, healthcare and behavioral health, and childcare. They also preserved the higher education investments made last session and funded Senate Bill 6492, which addresses college affordability and access.

Major operating and capital budget investments for the UW include:

  • The reappropriation of funding provided in the biennial budget last session for one-time bonuses for lower-wage employees (House and Senate);
  • $1 million in pre-design funding for phase 2 of the Magnuson Health Science Center replacement and renovation (Senate); and
  • $100,000 to preserve and restore the historic ASUW Shell House (Senate).

The budget proposals did not include maintenance and operation funds for the new Hans Rosling Population Health Sciences building.

For an in-depth summary of the proposals, click here to view a brief prepared by the UW’s Office of Planning and Budgeting.

Legislators from both chambers are now negotiating compromise budgets. The budgets must be finalized by the end of session, which is scheduled for March 12.

President Cauce travels to Olympia
President Ana Mari Cauce visited Olympia on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to meet with House and Senate leaders and budget writers. Her day was packed with meetings, during which she discussed the budget proposals and advocated for critical operational funding for the Hans Rosling Population Health facility.

She also had the opportunity to have lunch with UW student interns working in Olympia.

Dr. Dan Schwartz participates in clean energy work session

Dan Schwartz, PhD, Director of the Clean Energy Institute (CEI), was invited by the House Environment and Energy Committee to provide information about CEI’s mission and efforts. He introduced the committee to CEI’s education programs, transformational facilities, and cutting-edge research.

Thank you, Dr. Schwartz for presenting at this work session!

News from Olympia: Higher education investments preserved

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It’s week five and just like Winter Quarter, session is halfway over. Today is the last day for bills to pass out of the fiscal committee in their house of origin. Bills must move out of their house of origin and into the opposite chamber by 5 p.m. next Wednesday, Feb. 19 in order to continue through the policy making process.

Yesterday, Senate Bill 6492 was the first bill signed into law this year by Gov. Jay Inslee. This bill applies funding fixes to the Workforce Education Investment Act, which made critical investments in higher education and student financial aid last session. The Act guarantees the full cost of tuition at any in-state public college or university through the Washington College Grant for resident students from a family of four making $50,000 or less per year. It also establishes partial grants for students from families making up to the state’s median family income, currently $97,000 per year.

Late last year, forecasts showed that more Washington students than anticipated plan to take advantage of the Washington College Grant, creating a funding gap. Senate Bill 6492 addresses that expected shortfall and ensures funding for the investments is secure and easy to collect.

During the bill signing, the Governor thanked the bill sponsor, Sen. Jaime Pedersen, as well as Sen. Emily Randall and Reps. Drew Hansen and Frank Chopp for their leadership on this issue.

 

 

News from Olympia: UW Regents meet with legislators

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It’s week three and the legislature is quickly approaching policy committee cutoff. Next Friday, Feb. 7, is the last day to pass bills out of policy committee in their house of origin.

Here are some highlights from the past two weeks:

UW Regents visit Olympia for public higher education’s Regents & Trustees Day

On Wednesday, along with dozens of regents and trustees from our state’s public four-year and community and technical colleges, UW’s Regents  thanked legislators for the historic investments made in public higher education and financial aid last session. Throughout the day, they engaged legislators on the importance of higher education and emphasized critical topics such as increasing Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion. This day served as another terrific example of the public higher education community’s partnership to better serve students, our local communities, and our growing economy.

Confirmation hearing for Regent Suarez

The confirmation hearing for Regent Daniela Suarez was held in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee on Jan. 21.

Regent Suarez provided testimony about her journey to higher education, her previous legislative engagement, and her goals for continuing excellence at the UW. She also thanked the committee for making higher education more accessible and inclusive to all individuals.

She was unanimously confirmed by the committee. Her appointment now waits to be heard on the Senate floor for a confirmation vote. The UW community is proud to have the leadership of Regent Suarez!

Dr. Robert Sweet, UW Medicine, encourages funding for the Magnuson Health Sciences Center

Dr. Robert Sweet, executive director of the WWAMI Institute for Simulation in Healthcare (WISH), and his team met with legislators to ask for their support of the UW’s request of $1 million in pre-design funding for phase 2 of the Magnuson Health Sciences Center replacement and renovation. The Center was originally built in 1973 and currently operates with mostly original infrastructure and well beyond capacity. During his meetings, Dr. Sweet emphasized the need for new flexible learning space to train Washington’s health science workforce to better serve patients and local communities.

UW faculty and students advocate for the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation 

UW faculty and students traveled to testify in support of reauthorizing funding for the Joint Center for Aerospace Technology Innovation (JCATI), which is part of the UW’s 2020 legislative agenda. JCATI supports economic and workforce development through collaborative research between business and academic partners. Without reauthorization, this program will sunset June 30, 2020.

News from Olympia: Rep. Laurie Jinkins sworn in as Speaker of the House

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Washington State’s 2020 legislative session started on Monday, Jan. 13 and took off running. This 60-day (short) session is scheduled to last until March 12 and is focused on the supplemental budget, which applies fixes to the biennial budget passed last legislative session. Some of the big legislative topics will include transportation, homelessness, behavioral health, and data privacy.

A “Democratic Trifecta” holds in Olympia, with Democrats controlling the House of Representatives, Senate, and Governor’s Mansion. However, some key leadership and committee chair positions have changed. Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D–Legislative District 27) was sworn in on Monday as the new Speaker of the House. She is the first woman and first out lesbian to hold the position. Sen. Andy Billig (D–LD 3), Sen. Mark Schoesler (R–LD 9), and Rep. J.T. Wilcox (R–LD 2) remain in their caucus leadership roles. In the Senate, Sen. Emily Randall (D–LD 26) now serves as Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee Chair, with Rep. Drew Hansen (D–LD 23) continuing in his role as the House College & Workforce Development Committee Chair.

Yesterday, President Ana Mari Cauce traveled to Olympia to meet with legislators to discuss the UW’s 2020 legislative priorities. She also participated in a meeting with Gov. Jay Inslee with the presidents of Washington’s other public four-year higher education institutions. During this meeting, they thanked the Governor for the historic investments made in higher education last session and discussed common goals moving forward.

Earlier in the week, Morgan Hickel, Associate Director of State Relations, testified before the House and Senate fiscal committees on the Governor’s proposed operating budget. She encouraged legislators to invest in the Hans Rosling Center for Population Health, which is scheduled to open later this year and will be an innovative convening space to advance population health locally and globally.

Throughout session, the Office of State Relations will work with campus partners to advance the UW’s legislative agenda.

Stay tuned for updates from the state relations team. Updates can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Governor Inslee releases proposed 2020 supplemental budgets

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Yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee released his proposed supplemental budgets, which focus on making fixes to the biennial operating and capital budgets passed last legislative session.

The Governor’s proposal includes necessary fixes for the UW, including:

  • $1M in predesign funding for phase 2 of the Magnuson Health Science Center replacement/renovation;
  • The reappropriation of conditional wage increases to provide one-time payments to eligible represented employees at the UW, and;
  • The transfer of 2019-21 funding for the Dental Education in Care of Persons with Disabilities (DECOD) to the Health Care Authority to leverage federal matching funds.

The overall proposal focuses on efforts to address homelessness, expand early learning and combat climate change. It also pauses transportation projects to offset lost revenue from the passage of Initiative 976, which cut annual vehicle licensing fees to $30.

The release of the Governor’s budget proposal represents the first big step in the budget process. The House of Representatives and Senate will introduce their supplemental budget proposals during legislative session, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.

For additional details on the Governor’s budget, see the brief prepared by the Office of Financial Management.