News & Updates

The pace continues to quicken (at least it feels like it!)  Next week promises to be the busiest yet of the 2009 session.  The first cutoff for bills to clear committees is just over two weeks away — that means plenty of bill-related hearings along with some key briefings.

Next Tuesday and Wednesday the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee will be briefed by all of the state four-year schools on budget cutback plans — the UW is slated to present during Tuesday’s 10 am hearing.  The committee also will hear an important bill (SB 5734) which would make the tuition policy for graduate and non-resident students permanent.  One of our UW request bills (SB 5526) will be heard on Wednesday at 3:30 — that bill would make changes to disclosure requirements for private investment information received by our endowment fund.

In the House, the Higher Education Committee will hold a 10 am Tuesday hearing on proposals for a UW branch campus in Snohomish County, and the proposal by Bellevue Community College to begin offering four-year degrees in a number of fields.

UW request bills on private investment information (HB 1640) and public works contracting (HB 1916) will be heard before the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee on Tuesday at 1:30, along with a differing approach to public works contracts (HB 1690).

We will be appearing at all of these hearings, and posting updates here as they develop.  While none of these hearings are set to be on TVW live, they will be available as webcasts at TVW.org.

We’ve noted before that demand for college education is on the rise – and that a weak economy tends to increase that demand.  It is not surprising that lawmakers are again looking at how to expand the state’s college and university system.

In the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, hearings yesterday and tomorrow are focusing on proposals for a new four-year school in Snohomish County.  A proposal to develop a UW branch campus stalled last year when there was no consensus on whether to locate the branch in Everett or a site near Marysville.  A mediation effort over the interim failed to produce an agreement and without one, further steps are unlikely.  The Senate will also consider two proposals for a standalone state university in Snohomish County, including one that would provide for a local funding and governance option.

Bellevue Community College also has a proposal to offer a range of four-year degrees.  While the UW supports expanded access to higher education statewide, we have raised concerns about authorizing a new program in a time of tight resources, and when the current branch campus model has not been fully developed.

Whatever the outcome of the current proposals, expect the need to create and fund more college slots to continue to be a major topic in Olympia.

This year “BYOB” means build your own budget, at least at the Governor’s website.  To give the public a flavor for the tradeoffs needed to reach a balanced budget, the Governor’s office has put up an online calculator. Enter your cuts (or additions) in major budget categories and the totals are instantly adjusted.

Also, the White House has released a state-by-state list of what is in the President’s stimulus proposal for each state.  Of note is a college tax credit that would assist an estimated 67,000 state families.  The entire stimulus plan is still being negotiated, but the document is worth a look (you will have to scroll far down to reach Washington state).

Veterans of Olympia budget sessions know that the heaviest lifting doesn’t begin until the spring revenue forecast — usually issued in March.  That forecast lets lawmakers know the how the results of the recent holiday shopping season and the most recent economic data will affect the amount they have to spend (or this year, cut).  Showing the seriousness of the budget situation, the spring forecast has been moved up one month to February 19 at 4:30 pm.  It is widely expected that the budget gap will increase from the $5.7 billion reflected in the Governor’s budget proposal.  At the same time, the state’s portion of a federal stimulus package should be clearer.  One thing is certain, ratings for TVW — which carries forecast council meetings live — will never be better.

The budget crunch this year has reinforced the need to get the biggest bang for the buck.  Thanks to the hard work and creativity of staff and faculty throughout the campus, the UW has an excellent record on improving efficiency and effectiveness.    Here are some highlights:

Since 2003 the UW has saved over $49 million in utility costs;

There has been a dramatic increase in electronic services — especially in student fiscal services — that has led to lower costs, more transactions per staff member, and more convenience for students;

Automated mailing services have saved over $1.4 million since 2003;

The UW has become a leader in sustainability, ranking in the top fifteen colleges nationally;

We have one of the best bond ratings in the country, lowering construction costs.

There’s more in the complete report — it’s an excellent survey of many efforts, large and small, to make sure the UW spends its resources wisely and well.

Week 4 of the 2009 session will see a full slate of committee hearings, as well as continued efforts by lawmakers to reach agreement on a supplemental budget.

The House Higher Education Committee plans a work session on access and affordability (as well as tuition policy) on Friday.  In the Senate, the Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee plans to look at options for a four year school in Snohomish County on Wednesday and Friday.  In past sessions the focus has been on a branch campus of the UW, but consideration is also being given to a standalone college.  Given current budget constraints, proponents are looking to have the legislature commit to a new four year school in the future when finances improve.  Also, the Senate Economic Development, Trade & Innovation Committee has set a Thursday hearing to consider bills to increase commercialization of technologies.

We continue to work with lawmakers on ways to ensure that the supplemental budget allows enough flexibility for universities to manage how cuts are taken in order to protect our educational, research and health care missions.  Amendments made earlier this week in the Senate improve the original proposal for hiring and spending freezes, but there are still significant issues with the overall bill.

Congratulations to Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland) who has been named to the House Higher Education Committee.  Rep. Haler also serves on the Education Appropriations Committee, the Technology, Energy and Communications Committee, and as the ranking Republican on the Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee.

Rep. Haler was first elected to the House in 2004.  Prior to that he served on the Richland City Council for 14 years, four of those as Mayor.  We look forward to working with Rep. Haler in his new committee role.

The UW’s Institute for Learning and Brain Science co-directors, Dr. Patricia Kuhl, and Dr. Andrew Meltzoff will have a busy day tomorrow, briefing three committees on the Institute’s work as part of an overall look at early learning in the state.  The briefings are 8 am before the House Early Learning and Children’s Services Committee, 10 am before the Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee, and 1:30 pm before the House Education Appropriations Committee.

The UW also will be represented by Mona Kunselman at a briefing on dual enrollment programs and Running start before a joint meeting of the House Education and Education Appropriations committee at 6 pm.

Thanks to all of those involved in putting together these briefings — they are a great way to inform policymakers of the cutting edge research and innovative programs at the UW.  Webcasts of the hearings are available at tvw.org.

SB 5460, which would freeze most state agency hiring, equipment purchases, contracts, and travel cleared the Senate today on a unanimous vote.  Before voting the bill out, Senators agreed to an amendment offered by Sen. Ed Murray which would exempt activities at universities from the freeze when they are paid for with non-state revenues (such as federal grants or patient revenues).

This is a significant improvement to the bill and we thank Sen. Murray for bringing it to his colleagues.  We will continue to work with lawmakers on other areas where we believe added flexibility could gain the state budget savings they are seeking while helping the UW meet our educational, research, and health-care missions.

This afternoon the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed out SB 5460 which would freeze a number of budget items, including hiring, travel, equipment purchases, and contracts (with limited exceptions).  Thanks to Sen. Ed Murray, who offered amendments to provide needed flexibility to the UW to manage the effects of the freezes; those amendments were not accepted in committee but discussions are ongoing.  The bill could reach the floor later this week.

This afternoon, House budget writers rolled out their approach to the supplemental spending plan.  The House proposal is currently being reviewed by our budget office for its effects — we will post more information here as it becomes available.

Also, the UW’s two request bills have been introduced and are awaiting public hearings. One bill (HB 1640, SB 5526) would protect private investment information received by the UW endowment fund.  The other bill (HB 1641, SB 5527) would modify the public works process to improve the efficiency of building projects.  We appreciate all of the sponsors for signing on to these bills.