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News & Updates

Today in Olympia: Capital Budget, Operating Budgets, State Need Grant, College Bound, and GET

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Welcome to Week 2 of the 105-day legislative session.

Clearing the fog of what’s happening in Olympia this week, we turn to Crosscut for a succinct treatment of legislative affairs:

For those new to the Legislature, committees are where shy new bills go to introduce themselves. After being read for the first time to the whole House (or Senate, for Senate bills), bills are sent to committees depending on their subject. Once in committee, bills are presented to committee members, who decide whether to send them on for review by the larger group — or nip them in the bud.

Turning to Higher Ed, interested parties from around the state came before the House Committee on the Capital Budget to give testimony on HB 1089, the 2013-2015 capital budget.

UW’s Director of State Relations Margaret Shepherd provided  testimony on the university’s priority capital projects. Watch the testimony here.

This afternoon, the Senate Ways & Means Committee held a Work Session on Higher Education. Committee members received an overview of the Higher Education Operating Budget, State Need Grant and College Bound program, Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program, and heard perspectives from Higher Ed stakeholders – including UW. Senators had a chance to ask the public four-year universities about the $225 million reinvestment proposal to freeze undergraduate tuition for two years.

In related news, the Seattle Times reported this weekend that the College Bound program has been more successful in sending low-income students to four-year colleges than expected.

Here’s how the program works, per the Times:

Middle-school students sign a pledge to keep at least a C average, stay out of legal trouble and apply for college and financial aid. Low-income students already can get substantial financial aid from the state and federal government and from private sources. College Bound also gives students up to $500 a year for books. Grants do not need to be repaid.

College Bound is one of the programs that UW undergrads participating in the Dream Project are helping spread the word about through mentoring students in Seattle-area high schools. In 2012-13, 713 College Bound students became Huskies.

Tomorrow, the House Higher Education Committee will begin hearings on “The Higher Education Needs of Industry.”

For an early perspective on that topic, last week Richard Fabian (VP of Imaging Systems Marketing at Philips) testified before the House Technology & Economic Development Committee.

Responding to a question from the Chair, Mr. Fabian noted the crucial importance of the University of Washington to its presence in the state. Watch the testimony here.

This Week in Olympia: Legislature Kicks Off, Governor Sworn In, Committees Get to Work

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On Monday, members of the House & Senate took their oaths of office. In the State Senate, as was expected, the Majority Coalition Caucus took control after a brief floor fight.

https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/290942408521310209

On Tuesday, Gov. Gregoire delivered the final State of the State address of her 8-year tenure.

On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee was sworn-in and delivered his inaugural address. In his speech, the new Governor noted the role UW and other public universities play in growing the economy.

At a press availability later in the day, Gov. Inslee further noted that he did not believe extending certain taxes would break his no-new taxes campaign pledge:

Also on Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee held a Work Session, with public four-year institutions presenting. Watch the proceedings on TVW, and be sure to catch UW State Relations’ presentation here.

On Thursday, the Senate Higher Education Committee met for the first time with Sen. Barbara Bailey (R-Whidbey Island) at the helm as Chair. On the docket: An update on the state budget, overview of the Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) Program & recommendations from the Legislative Advisory Committee to the GET Committee, and overview of the State Need Grant & College Bound Scholarship Program. Watch the proceedings on TVW.

Also on Thursday, Nathan Schlicher (J.D. ’02, M.D., ’06) was appointed by county commissioners in the 26th Legislative District to fill the State Senate Seat left vacant by now Congressman Derek Kilmer.

Today, the Senate Law & Justice Committee held a work session and hearing on alcohol-related issues on college campuses.

For more Olympia-related news, tune in to TVW’s Inside Olympia segment. Host Austin Jenkins interviews State Senators Andy Hill (R-Redmond), Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam), and Sharon Nelson (D-Maury Island).

Today in Olympia: Gov. Inslee Sworn-In, Committees Begin Considering Higher Ed Agenda

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At 10:42AM this morning, Gov. Jay Inslee was sworn in at the Capitol Rotunda.

Shortly after, he delivered his inaugural State of the State Address.

https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/291616569329610753

Speaking about education generally, the new Governor talked about the need for alignment, “from early learning to K-12 to our universities.”

More specifically in regards to Higher Education, Gov. Inslee said:

“It’s also critical for us to preserve the leading role our research institutions play in inventing the future, growing our economy, and creating jobs. While we do this, we can no longer accept the misalignment between what our schools teach, and what skills our employers need. This is something I will act on immediately, to sharpen the relationship between our schools and the economy they are preparing our young people to enter. It will be hard work, but it is required work if we want Washington to rise to the challenges the world will present us.”

Watch Gov. Inslee’s address on TVW, or read it online. Watch the Republican response, delivered by State Rep. Kevin Parker (R-Spokane).

This afternoon, the House Higher Education Committee held a Work Session on Higher Education policy priorities for 2013. On the docket in the Work Session: presentations from each of the six public four-year universities, including the UW. Watch the presentations here. UW’s Director of State Relations Margaret Shepherd gave an overview of the university’s student profile, tuition & financial aid programs, economic impacts, academic excellence, and policy priorities.

Yesterday, Shepherd testified before the House Appropriations Committee in support of a recent reinvestment proposal presented to the legislature by the Council of Presidents.

The proposal, which has received positive marks from newspaper editorial boards and widespread media coverage, would freeze in-state undergraduate tuition for two years in exchange for state reinvestment of $225 million.

 

Today in Olympia: State of the State Address

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Gov. Chris Gregoire gave the final State of the State address of her 8-year tenure today.

The State of the State is delivered annually before a join session of the State House and Senate.

Gov. Gregoire used her final address to encourage legislators to focus on funding for education and transportation during the session. The outgoing Gov also made clear she doesn’t believe the legislature can cut or save its way out of the $1 billion budget shortfall.

For reactions from both sides of the aisle, read this News Tribune article.

Tomorrow, Gov-Elect Jay Inslee will be sworn-in and give his inaugural address.

Watch the State of the State address on TVW.

Today in Olympia: First Day of Session, Editorials Weigh in on Reinvestment Proposal

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The Capitol came alive today with opening day ceremonial activities in both the House and Senate.

Following the swearing in of new and returning members, both chambers moved on to electing their leaders and other business.

In the State House, Rep. Frank Chopp (D-Seattle) was re-elected Speaker.

In the State Senate, a floor debate unfolded over adopting the chamber’s rules.

Earlier in the day, Senators swapped seating arrangements, in anticipation of a coming power shift.

As was expected, two Democratic Senators Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue) and Tim Sheldon (D-Potlach) joined with 23 Senate Republicans to give the Majority Coalition Caucus control of the chamber.

https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/290948589641928704

Leadership of key Senate committees also firmed up, as reported by the Seattle Times.

Three Democratic Senators took up the Majority Coalition Caucus’ offer to chair or co-chair committees:

Sen. Tracey Eide will co-chair the Senate Transportation Committee along with GOP Sen. Curtis King, R-Yakima. Sen. Steve Hobbs, D-Lake Stevens, will chair the Financial Institutions, Housing and Insurance Committee and Sen. Brian Hatfield, D-Raymond will chair Agriculture, Water and Rural Economic Development.

In other news, two newspaper editorial boards around the state weighed in on the $225 million reinvestment proposal offered last week that would freeze tuition at the six four-year public universities.

The Kitsap Sun wrote that Higher Education should not be left out of the conversation over education this session:

If we prepare kids adequately in through high school but neglect to answer questions about making relevant degrees more available, college tuition more affordable and programming that addresses all of our economy’s needs, the state will continue falling behind in the future. Our economy may be handicapped nationally by big levers, but drags of our own doing, like failing to prepare workers for industries that will drive recovery, should be inexcusable.

The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin wrote that the proposal is something that should receive serious consideration and discussion.

The Associated Press also took note of the reinvestment proposal, including it in an article titled: “5 Things to Watch in the Wash. Legislature This Year.”

Stay tuned for more blog coverage this week on committee business! And be sure to follow us on Twitter and like our page on Facebook for more frequent updates.

At Associated Press Forum, Legislators Preview Session, Gov-Elect Inslee Announces Appointments

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With the start of the 105-day legislative session set to kick off next Monday, Jan. 14, the Associated Press held its annual forum featuring state legislators and decision-makers in Olympia today.

The big topics? Finding additional funding for basic education, the committee structure and leadership of the State Senate, and addressing the estimated $1 billion shortfall in the state budget.

As The News Tribune reports, despite disagreement between the Majority Coalition and Senate Democrats, some individual members of the Democratic caucus may still take State Senate committee chairmanships when session starts next week.

After legislators wrapped up their session preview, Gov-Elect Jay Inslee took the podium to announce several key appointments in his new administration, and to make brief remarks.

The Gov-Elect’s appointments are as follows:

Employment Security – Dale Peinecke

Labor & Industries  – Joel Sacks

Retirement Systems  – Marcie Frost

Veterans Affairs – Alfie Alvarado-Ramos

Department of Social and Health Services  – Kevin Quigley

In terms of Higher Ed policy in the upcoming session, Gov-Elect Inslee outlined an effort he plans to launch to address STEM degree production, and other critical skill gaps.

Yesterday, Gov-Elect Inslee announced the appointment of his budget director.

According to the Transition Office, David Schumacher, a Husky alum and veteran of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, will take on the position at OFM.

Most recently, Schumacher served as executive director of the Council of Presidents, representing the six public university presidents, and through that position has become well-acquainted with higher education policy.

More from the Seattle Times:

Schumacher knows the state budget top to bottom and helped the Senate navigate the recession. “The Governor-Elect has given me clear direction to look for real, long-term solutions as we balance the budget and make state government more efficient,” Schumacher said in a statement.

You can watch today’s AP Legislative Preview in three hour-long episodes on the TVW website:

PART 1: Leadership panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom (D-Bellevue), House Speaker Frank Chopp (D-Seattle), Senate Democratic Leader Ed Murray (D-Seattle) and House Republican Leader Richard DeBolt (R-Chehalis).

PART 2: Budget funding panel discussion with State Sup’t Randy Dorn, State Rep. Ross Hunter (D-Medina), State Sen. Steve Litzow (R-Mercer Island), Chris Korsmo (CEO, League of Education Voters) and moderated by AP reporter Mike Baker.

Part 3: Conversation with Gov-Elect Jay Inslee.

Reinvestment proposal offers to freeze tuition

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President Young today joined with presidents of the state’s other public four-year universities in asking the Legislature to bolster sagging state investment.

In exchange for a $225 million reinvestment in the 2013-15 operating budget, the universities offered to hold resident undergraduate tuition at current rates for the next two years.

Responding to the proposal in the Seattle Times, State Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, said:

“Do I think it will be difficult to find $225 million? Yes,” Hunter said. “But can we continue to do this long-term destruction of the higher-ed system? No.”

The Times noted:

“An infusion of $225 million would bring funding levels back to about what they were in 2009.”

The Times also reported that the presidents long term goal is to return to a 50/50 funding formula, where students and the state share the costs of higher education:

“Currently, about 67 percent of the cost of going to a four-year public college in Washington is borne by students and their families, with the state picking up the remainder.”

Commenting on the reinvestment proposal, UW Regent Joanne Harrell said in a statement:

“As a Regent, I’ve seen first hand how difficult this recession has been on our students and families. This proposal is a win-win. It makes higher education more affordable and ensures our students have access to the high quality education they deserve.”

Read the Seattle Times story, and let us know what you think:

This Week in Olympia: Gov-Elect Hires Senior Staff, State Senate Appointments

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Gov-Elect Jay Inslee announced three senior staff hires this week.

Jerry Cornfield reports for the Everett Herald:

First up, Ted Sturdevant. He is now the director of the Department of Ecology and will become the executive director for legislative affairs and policy for Inslee. It’s likely he will be one of the key liaisons between the new governor and the 147 men and women in the Legislature.

 

Next up, David Postman. He’s a former journalist who covered state government and politics for the Tacoma News Tribune and Seattle Times. After leaving the Times, he served as director of communications and media for Paul Allen’s Vulcan, Inc. For Inslee, he will be the executive director of communications. This job will likely put him in the room for strategy sessions and put him in charge of translating Inslee in a way the public and reporters can understand.

 

Finally, Joby Shimomura. She and Inslee go way back and she is one of his most trusted advisers. She managed Inslee’s campaign for governor and a couple of his congressional campaigns as well. When he was in Congress, she served as his chief of staff from 1999-2005. She will serve as senior advisor, a position no doubt responsible for making sure he’s in a good position to win a second term in 2016.

In a news release on the announcement, the Gov-Elect’s transition office also noted a re-organization is underway in the policy shop:

At Governor-Elect Inslee’s direction, the Office of the Governor will be reorganized on January 16th. Constituent Services and Correspondence will report directly to the Executive Director of Communications, and the Office of Legislative Affairs will merge with the Office of Policy to create a single office under the Executive Director for Legislative Affairs and Policy. The reorganization will yield a net reduction of between 4 and 8 positions.

In other Olympia news, commissioners from several Eastern Washington counties elected a replacement to fill the Senate Seat being vacated by retiring State Senator Bob Morton.

Colville-area farmer and businessman John Smith will succeed Morton, as reported by the Spokesman Review.

One State Senate vacancy remains in the 26th District seat vacated by now Congressman Derek Kilmer.

The Peninsula Gateway reports on the top contenders for that appointment, which has not yet been scheduled, but is expected before session begins on Jan. 14.

 

The Week in Tweets: State Senate Negotiations, and Budget Blueprints

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Power sharing talks continue in the State Senate, via The Olympian:

The situation in the State Senate also attracted the attention of The New York Times this week:

Rep. Reuven Carlyle (D-Seattle) talks about his philosophy as the incoming House Finance Chair:

House Budget leaders preview the upcoming session on TVW:

Finally, the Seattle Times profiles Sen. Rodney Tom (D-Medina) and his role in the new State Senate Majority Coalition:

https://twitter.com/brianmrosenthal/status/282965208870305793