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News & Updates

News & Updates

Session News: UW requests $125M capital investment for chemical sciences facilities

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It’s day 12 of the 105-day 2025 legislative session.

UW College of Arts & Sciences advocates for $125M investment in chemical sciences facilities

Yesterday, UW College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dianne Harris, Chemistry Department Chair Munira Khalil, and UW Chemistry alumnus Bruce Montgomery met with capital budget leaders to advocate for the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities at UW Seattle. In their meeting with Rep. Mari Leavitt, they met a current UW student studying political science, who is also interning for Rep. Leavitt during session.

Chemistry is a core program at the UW and is required for students in most STEM and health sciences degree programs. Current facilities serve more than 6,000 students each quarter and house chemical sciences research that drives discoveries in fields such as AI, quantum computing, clean energy, and biology. Current facilities were built in 1937 and 1957 and no longer meet the needs of modern science education and research. New facilities are necessary to meet increasing course demand, boost STEM degree production and improve the workforce pipeline, foster partnerships with local employers, and attract and retain world-class faculty conducting cutting edge research.

The UW received $5 million in the last legislative session to design the project and is now asking the state to appropriate $125 million for its construction. Given the size of this request, it is the only building construction request on the University’s legislative agenda. This request was fully funded in former Governor Inslee’s proposed capital budget. In partnership with the state, the UW and its philanthropic partners will contribute approximately 55% of the total project cost.

Policy introductions and UW engagement

To date, more than 1,000 bills have been introduced this session, and the UW is actively monitoring and engaging on a number of them. Some include:

  • Senate Bill (SB) 5158 / House Bill (HB) 1298 concerns student athlete insurance.
  • SB 5275 modifies funding and award levels for the passport to careers program and eligibility for the Washington College Grant.
  • SB 5308 codifies the Washington Guaranteed Admissions Programs and requires student notifications.
  • SB 5355 improves safety at institutions of higher education while supporting student survivors of sexual assault.
  • SB 5451 / HB 1360 concerning advancement of quantum economic development.

To find introduced legislation, visit the Washington State Legislature’s website.

Questions?

The Office of State Relations is in Olympia throughout the session advocating on behalf of the UW. For questions about the UW’s legislative priorities or advocacy efforts, please reach out to Morgan Hickel at mhickel@uw.edu.

Session News: President Cauce champions the UW in Olympia; Gov. Ferguson sworn into office

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It’s day three of the 2025 legislative session, which began Monday and is scheduled to run until April 27. Washington state operates on a two-year budget cycle, and during this session, lawmakers will decide the 2025-27 operating, capital, and transportation budgets.

President Cauce champions the UW in Olympia

Yesterday, UW President Ana Mari Cauce traveled to Olympia to meet with legislators about the University’s priorities. She met with leaders in both the House and Senate who are responsible for negotiating the operating and capital budgets, as well as with members of the higher education committees.

During these meetings, President Cauce emphasized the University’s top priority: 100% state funding for faculty and staff compensation. As a public institution, state support is critical to the operations of the UW and the success of students. Additional state funding for compensation would support the University’s ability to recruit and retain employees and admit more Washington first-year and transfer students to the Seattle campus.

President Cauce also discussed the UW’s capital budget requests to fund the construction and modernization of chemical sciences facilities in Seattle and campus decarbonization projects. Additionally, she inquired how the UW can best support legislators and be a strong partner throughout the legislative session and beyond.

UW testifies on the Governor Inslee’s budget proposals

The Office of State Relations serves as the primary liaison between the UW and state government, and is currently in Olympia advocating for the University’s legislative agenda.

Over the past few days, Joe Dacca, Director of the Office of State Relations, and Morgan Hickel, Associate Director, testified before the House and Senate fiscal committees on former Governor Inslee’s proposed operating and capital budgets. Given that Washington state is facing a $10-12 billion budget deficit, they expressed gratitude that the proposal largely maintains the UW’s base funding. However, they also encouraged investment in the University’s critical needs, particularly the compensation funding request.

On the capital budget, they were appreciative that the proposal fully funded the construction and modernization of the chemical sciences facilities in Seattle, and they requested funding for decarbonization projects in Seattle if Climate Commitment Account dollars become available.

To watch hearings, visit TVW.

Governor Ferguson sworn into office

Governor Bob Ferguson was officially sworn into office today. In his inaugural speech, Gov. Ferguson highlighted some of the challenges facing Washington, including affordability, public safety, and housing, but also his optimism to “make progress and increase opportunities for Washingtonians.” He emphasized that during his tenure he’ll be focused on bipartisanship and measurable goals. To read his full speech, click here.

Immediately after, Gov. Ferguson signed three executive orders on housing, reproductive freedom, and permit and licensing reform. The orders direct state agencies to take immediate action on these issues.

Questions?

The Office of State Relations will remain in Olympia throughout the session. For questions on the UW’s legislative priorities or advocacy efforts, please reach out to Morgan Hickel at mhickel@uw.edu.

Rep. Dave Paul will now chair the House higher education committee

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The House Postsecondary Education & Workforce (PEW) Committee has a new chair, Rep. Dave Paul, who takes over following the appointment of former chair, Rep. Vandana Slatter, to the Senate. Slatter’s appointment to the Senate fills the vacancy created by the election of Sen. Patty Kuderer to state insurance commissioner.

Rep. Paul assumed office in 2019 and represents the 10th legislative district, which encompasses all of Island County and parts of Snohomish and Skagit counties. He has taught in higher education for over 25 years, most recently at Skagit Valley College where he has served for 16 years. He currently works as the Director of Community Relations.

The PEW Committee also has a new vice chair, Rep. Greg Nance. The Committee’s Ranking Minority Member will remain Rep. Alex Ybarra.

In the Senate, Sen. T’wina Nobles will continue to serve as chair of the Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee, with Sen. Drew Hansen as the new vice chair and Sen. Judy Warnick as the new Ranking Minority Member.

More broadly, House and Senate leadership and committee assignments have also been formalized.

In the Senate, Jamie Pedersen will assume the role of Majority Leader, while Sen. John Braun will remain as Republican Leader. Sen. June Robinson will continue to chair the Ways & Means Committee, which will now have three new vice chairs and a new Ranking Minority Member: Sen. Derek Stanford (Operating Budget), Yasmin Trudeau (Capital Budget), Noel Frame (Finance), and Chris Gildon (Ranking Minority Member). Notably, the vice chair of Finance is a newly created position.

In the House, Laurie Jinkins will remain Speaker and Rep. Drew Stokesbary will continue as Minority Leader. The chairs of the Appropriations and Capital Budget Committees will stay the same, but the ranking minority members have changed. Rep. Timm Ormsby will chair Appropriations, with Rep. Travis Couture as the new Ranking Minority Member. For the Capital Budget Committee, Rep. Steve Tharinger will stay chair, and Rep. Mike Steele will now serve as Ranking Minority Member.

The 2025 legislative session will begin this upcoming Monday, Jan. 13 and run for 105 consecutive days, ending on April 27. For updates on the UW’s advocacy efforts, visit the  News & Updates section of this website.

Governor-elect Ferguson releases budget priorities

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Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, who will be sworn into office on Jan. 15, has unveiled his operating budget priorities for the 2025-27 biennium. While he does not provide a in-depth budget proposal, this release offers an overview of his fiscal approach. Ferguson’s priorities come after outgoing Governor Jay Inslee presented his budget proposals in mid-December.

Washington state faces a projected budget deficit of $10-12 billion over the next four years, prompting both Ferguson and Inslee to seek solutions. However, they took different approaches, particularly regarding new revenue. Inslee’s proposal focuses on a mix of spending reductions, delayed investments, and new revenue sources, including a wealth tax and increases to the business and occupation tax.

In contrast, Governor-elect Ferguson’s priorities favor operational efficiency and targeted budget reductions. He proposes a 6% reduction for most state agencies and a 3% reduction for four-year higher education institutions. His approach notably avoids new taxes, emphasizing that new revenue should only be considered as a last resort. However, like Inslee, Ferguson proposes delaying investments where possible, such as for new programs that have yet to be implemented. These measures are expected to save $4.4 billion, in addition to the roughly $3 billion in one-time savings and delayed investments outlined in Inslee’s recommendations.

Ferguson’s proposal does avoid cuts to basic education, the community and technical colleges, and public safety agencies, including the Washington Department of Corrections, Washington State Patrol, and the Criminal Justice Training Program. Pass-through entitlements, like the Washington College Grant, would also remain unaffected by budget reductions.

Additionally, Ferguson has identified four priority areas for $800 million in new investments: public safety, housing, the ferry system, and affordability.

The Washington State Legislature will use Inslee and Ferguson’s proposals as a starting point for 2025-27 budget negotiations. After the legislature passes their final budgets, they will go to Ferguson for his consideration and signature.

The 2025 legislative session begins this upcoming Monday, Jan. 13. For updates on the UW’s advocacy efforts, visit the News & Updates section of this website.

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, the majority of 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 a 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 tomorrow’s 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.