On its Sunday (May 19) opinion page, the Everett Herald published an editorial making the case that higher education is key to the state’s economy. The editorial opens with this point:
The mainspring for landing the Boeing 777X in Washington is higher ed and addressing the skills gap in engineering and technology. The best social program for self-sufficiency, the best business strategy for curtailing unemployment and goosing the economy, is higher ed.
The editorial goes on to cite a range of data that points to the need to reinvest in higher education in our state:
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Washington ranks 37th in public bachelors’ degrees produced per 1,000. Washington falls to 49th in participation in public graduate education. The state also sits, 49 out of 50, in total education funding per student. At UCLA, in a state that defines budget austerity, per-student funding is $11,850 compared to $6,751 at the UW.
For a generation in Washington, the cost (or funding per student) has remained flat. As state support nosedived, tuition ticked up to bridge the divide, pricing out many low and middle-income kids. In 2013, even after four years of double-digit tuition spikes, funding per student at places like the UW is $3,000 less (!) than it was in 2008.
We know the solution. Washington should appropriate $225 million to freeze resident undergrad tuition for the next two years, to make college a manageable option for middle class students. Student financial aid must be fully funded. And boosting capacity in engineering and computer science to align with student demand, a proposal floated by the Washington Roundtable, is the low-hanging strategy to remedy the skills crisis.
Today’s front-page story in The Daily breaks down the House and Senate budget proposals being considered in Olympia.
The story tackles a number of topics that lawmakers are confronting in budget negotiations this special session, from levels of state support to tuition-setting, and a proposed 20 percent international student surcharge to computer science & engineering program funding.
President Michael K. Young, Angie Weiss, director of the ASUW Office of Government Relations, Melanie Mayock, vice president of the UW Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS), Xinglu Yao, an international student at the UW from China, and Margaret Shepherd director of UW State Relations are quoted.
After a two-week break following its adjournment April 28, the Washington State Legislature is set to begin Special Session today (May 13).
The News Tribune reports that the first week of the 30-day session so far appears light on the legislative front, and mainly entails budget negotiators meeting to hash out agreement on a state budget. Schedules could change quickly, however, and some committees are set to meet later in the week.
The Associated Press reports that budget writers met a few times during the two week break, but no deal has yet been reached.
In addition to working on the state budget, the Governor has called on state lawmakers to work on a range of policy bills that didn’t make it out during the Regular Session, and to also focus on putting together a statewide transportation package.
Gov. Inslee signs H.B. 1736 Photo: Washington State Legislative Support Services
On Friday (May 10), Governor Jay Inslee signed HB 1736, sponsored by Representatives Hans Zeiger, Larry Seaquist, Larry Haler, Gerry Pollet, Cindy Ryu, David Sawyer, Steve Bergquist, Chad Magendanz, and Jessyn Farrell.
The central goal of the legislation is to enhance the efficiency of higher education institutions by better coordinating and streamlining certain state reporting requirements. The bill directs the Office of Financial Management, higher education institutions, and several state agencies to review reporting requirements, and report recommendations for changes by December 2013.
The bill was successfully amended in the State Senate to include a proposal from earlier legislation authored by Representative Marcus Riccelli, which allows for student advisory committees to be formed at each four-year institution of higher education. The purpose of the committees will be to advise and assist the administration of the institution on issues that directly affect students’ ability to access and succeed in their educational programs.
Among other provisions, the bill also allows institutions of higher education and state higher education agencies to use or accept secure electronic signatures.
The Olympian published an editorial today supporting reinvestment in higher education, and noting recent remarks given by President Young:
[W]e hope lawmakers will consider the remarks made by University of Washington President Michael Young at the Thurston County Chamber luncheon Wednesday. Young, who met earlier with The Olympian’s editorial board, laid out a convincing argument for increasing, not decreasing, the state’s investment in affordable higher education.
During a recent tour of countries in Asia, the UW president said he saw an urgency building in Korea, Japan and Taiwan to invest heavily in their higher education systems. Those countries see education and university-based research as the keys to America’s innovative and entrepreneurial advantages. In the long run, it’s the only model that works.
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To retain our position as the world’s leader in innovation and science we must not let our investment in higher education stagnate. Investing in Washington’s higher education system today makes sense if we value sustained prosperity for all.
Seattle Times higher education reporter Katherine Long reports in today’s newspaper:
If the Legislature won’t give more money to higher education, University of Washington students are calling on the school to raise tuition by 3 percent, then put all of that money into faculty salaries.
This is the seventh installment in our “Huskies on the Hill” series featuring UW Alumni serving in state government.
Today’s Q&A features State Representative Jake Fey, B.A. ’71, who represents the 27th Legislative District. He currently serves on the Capital Budget, Environment, and Transportation committees.
Representative Fey was the first in his family to attend college, earning a BA in Political Science from the University of Washington and then an MPA from the University of Puget Sound. He has lived in Tacoma for more than 30 years, and has two children and two grandkids.
1. What motivated you to run for office?
Washington State’s elected leaders face challenges and opportunities that will impact the State’s future for many years to come. It is vitally important that the right decisions are made that will help move Washington’s economy forward and create increased prosperity for the citizens of the State. I believe that I can provide sorely needed leadership on educational, economic and transportation issues that will help move the State forward. We are still dealing with a very sluggish economy. We have a transportation infrastructure in need of substantial investments in order to effectively move goods and people. Most importantly, the State has been shortsighted in its support of our K-12 and higher education system. We are at great risk of losing out on future business investment because we may not have an educational system that produces the workforce that is needed. I am an experienced leader. I am a problem solver. I am a consensus builder. I am a policymaker that understands the important issues facing our State, and I will also bring extensive budget experience to the Legislature. Above all, I will bring a deep passion for improving the lives of our next generation Washingtonians.
2. What are your legislative priorities this session?
Providing leadership on key issues that will facilitate the State of Washington’s recovery from the economic downturn is my top priority. My three key priorities are jobs, education, and transportation. A recovered state economy will provide us with more financial resources to address the needs of vulnerable peoples. That being said, in the near term, I will vote for additional revenue sources to meet the State’s duty to support the vulnerable.
3. What has been the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment for you so far this session?
The biggest surprise is the level of congeniality among members regardless of political leanings and the high respect shown for legislative staff. The biggest disappointment has been the failure by the Legislature to address gun violence.
4. What do you think the long-term outlook is for higher education in our state?
Higher education institutions in Washington State provide a great service to the people of the State but face a long term crisis. Students often lack the necessary resources to access higher education. Low interest loans, grants, and scholarships are an opportunity for many students to get through school. Sadly, not all students have the same opportunities. How the State funds education and how students finance school need to undergo a transformation. I am working with other Representatives to address this very serious under-investment in higher education.
5. How do you spend your time when the legislature is not in session?
I have a great job as the Director of the Washington State University Energy Program addressing challenges to the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and developing renewable energy resources. I enjoy biking, running, golf, and attending sporting events and movies.
Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, who is serving her first term in office, recently embarked on a 14-campus College Civics tour which included visits yesterday to University of Washington Tacoma and the Seattle campus.
During her stop at UW’s Seattle campus, Secretary Wyman talked with students about her background, the importance of voting and being involved in campus life and the community.
The University of Washington in collaboration with Washington State University is developing an “academic redshirt” program that will bring dozens of low-income Washington state high school graduates to the two universities to study engineering in a five-year bachelor’s program.
