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News & Updates

House College & Workforce Dev. Chair meets with UW students and President Cauce

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Yesterday, the House College & Workforce Development Chair Vandana Slatter visited the UW Seattle campus to hear from students, faculty, and leadership and to learn more about the UW’s 2022 legislative requests.

First, she participated in a roundtable with students in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) to learn more about their UW experiences and future aspirations. During their conversations, students shared about the challenges of studying during the pandemic, potential and exciting career paths, and interests of study outside of computer science. Rep. Slatter also toured the new CSE building to see how the state legislature’s recent investments are helping students and the state’s economy. The legislature has invested substantially in STEM degree programs, including CSE, over the past few years to meet the growing student and employer demand.

Rep. Slatter then met with President Ana Mari Cauce to review the UW’s supplemental budget priorities for the upcoming legislative session. The UW’s priorities include salary adjustments for faculty and staff who are critical to the success of the UW and funding to expand computer science and engineering degrees for underrepresented students. Additionally, they discussed the UW’s return to campus amid the ongoing pandemic and the state’s critical workforce shortages and how the UW can help.

Thank you, Rep. Slatter, for your continued support of the UW.

WA Supreme Court approves new state political boundaries

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The Washington Supreme Court approved the congressional and legislative district maps created by the state’s bipartisan redistricting commission, declining to exercise its authority to draw new political boundaries.

Using the 2020 census data, the Washington State Redistricting Commission was charged with drawing and approving the state’s district maps by midnight Nov. 15. The commission published and unanimously agreed to new maps but narrowly missed the deadline to adopt them, which gave the court the jurisdiction to craft the new districting plan by April 30.

In a unanimous five-page ruling, the court found the commission “substantially complied with the statutory deadline” by voting to approve the redistricting plans by the Nov. 15 deadline, even though the plans were not transmitted to the state legislature on time. The order also directs the redistricting commission to complete any remaining work necessary to transmit the final report to the state legislature. Once the legislature receives the final report, it will have the opportunity to make small tweaks to the maps with two-thirds vote of both chambers.

The court ruling emphasizes the state’s redistricting process is best addressed by the bipartisan commission, who is appointed by the state legislature and considers public testimony. The court also stated “the primary purpose of achieving a timely redistricting plan would be impeded by rejecting the Commission’s completed work.”

However, the order only weighed the commission’s compliance with the midnight Nov. 15 deadline required by state law and not the entirety of the redistricting statute, which leaves the maps open to lawsuits. At least one lawsuit has been filed to date.

Regardless, the court’s decision provides clarity on the state’s new political boundaries, which will be in place for the next decade.

View the bipartisan redistricting commission’s final district maps here.

State revenue sees growth prior to legislative session

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Washington state’s 2021-23 budget collections are projected to increase by nearly $898 million according to the Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council’s November quarterly report. The state’s Near General Fund revenues are now projected at $60.2 billion for the 2021-23 budget cycle, which began July 1.

Washington’s budget is benefitting from strong growth in the state’s biggest revenue drivers – sales tax, property tax, and business & occupation tax – as well as the Real Estate Excise Tax. Employment is also seeing strong growth, although it hasn’t yet surpassed pre-pandemic levels, and is expected to remain robust through 2025. Washington’s unemployment rate has declined to 5% from the all-time high of 16.3% recorded in April 2020.

New to this forecast, consumer prices have jumped 6.2% marking the largest inflation seen in the state and nation since 1990. However, inflation is expected to gradually decrease starting in 2022 as supply chain and logistics issues are resolved.

The November quarterly economic and revenue forecast is the last prior to the release of Gov. Jay Inslee’s supplemental budget proposal in early to mid-December and the start of legislative session on Jan. 10. Both the governor and legislature will use the forecast to guide their budget proposals.

UW’s 2022 budget priorities shared during Committee Assembly Days

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State legislators virtually convened this week for Committee Days to hold work sessions and plan for the 2022 legislative session beginning Jan. 10. Throughout the week, UW faculty and staff participated in a variety of hearings to share their expertise on topics including admissions, cannabis research, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

State revenue updates were given in the House and Senate fiscal committees with revenue collections exceeding expectations due to strong growth in the state’s biggest revenue drivers – sales tax, property tax, and business & occupation tax – as well as the Real Estate Excise Tax. The state also sees positive growth in employment, which is not yet back to pre-pandemic levels but is expected to remain robust through 2025. Increasing inflation is the top concern highlighted by revenue forecasters in Washington and across the nation. Inflation is expected to gradually decline after 2021 as supply chain and logistics issues are resolved but will remain top-of-mind in the coming months.

In the higher education committees, legislators received campus and COVID-19 updates from the state’s public four-year baccalaureate institutions, the community and technical colleges, and the Independent Colleges of Washington. They also heard from the Washington Student Achievement Council on financial aid expansion and completion and held work sessions on workforce and career navigators, credentialing, and innovative degree pathways.

During the week, the Office of State Relations had the opportunity to share the UW’s 2022 legislative priorities with elected officials and staff. Recognizing the state continues to face uncertainty due to the pandemic and the 2022 supplemental budget primarily applies fixes to the biennial budget, UW’s operating budget requests are limited, including:

  • $18.45M for salary adjustments for faculty and staff, who are not scheduled to receive wage increases in the current biennial budget and are critical to the continued success of students and the UW.
  • $2M to expand computer science and engineering degrees for underrepresented students by an additional 100 per year to meet high student and employer demand.
  • $505K to create two behavioral health pharmacy residencies housed at the new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility to address the state’s critical behavioral health patient and workforce needs. This request is in partnership with Washington State University, who is requesting additional funds for two pharmacy residents in Eastern Washington.
  • $800K for a three-year research program led by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation in Spokane focused on community health metrics to help proactively address health disparities in rural and tribal communities in Eastern Washington.
  • Maintenance and operation (M&O) funds for Milgard Hall at UW Tacoma, which expects occupancy in Winter 2022-23 instead of mid-2023.

These priorities were determined through an extensive process led by the Office of the President and Office of the Provost. The UW’s 2022 legislative agenda two-pager will be available shortly.

Gov. Jay Inslee kicks off the budget process and is expected to release his supplemental budget proposal in early to mid-December. The House and Senate will form their proposals and adopt a final budget during legislative session.

Washington state’s redistricting process

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Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts the entire U.S. population to understand how the nation’s populace and economy have changed and shifted. The data collected helps determine how the federal government distributes funds to states and local communities. It also determines the number of seats allocated to each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and is used by states to draw new legislative districts.

The most recent census occurred in 2020 with the data released earlier this year. In Washington state, the census data shows population has grown by 14.6% since 2010 and the diversity index has increased to 61.1% from 54.9%.

To maintain fair and equal districts as communities change, the state’s legislative and congressional districts are redrawn after each census. The bipartisan Washington State Redistricting Commission, consisting of two Democrat and two Republican voting members, was charged with this task under strict rules designed to create districts of relatively equal population that do not provide a partisan advantage or discriminate against any demographic group. To the best of their ability, the commission also has to avoid splitting up cities or other political subdivisions and follow natural boundaries.

In September, all four redistricting commissioners released proposed legislative and congressional district maps providing the starting point for negotiation and public feedback. Throughout the process, the public provided information on their local communities, drew community maps, and shared testimony.

By law, the commission had until midnight Nov. 15 to finalize and vote on the new political boundaries with at least three of four voting members agreeing to the maps. The commission approved and published new maps but was unable to adopt them prior to the deadline. The Washington Supreme Court now has the jurisdiction to adopt a districting plan by April 30, 2022. At this time, it is unclear how the Court will proceed but more information is expected soon.

To learn more about the state’s redistricting process, visit the Washington State Redistricting Commission website.

Senate Republican Leader meets with UW leadership and takes STEM tour

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Senate Republican Leader John Braun visited the UW Seattle campus yesterday to meet with President Ana Mari Cauce, learn more about the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, and receive an update on UW Medicine and the new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility.

Braun and Cauce discussed the impacts of COVID-19 on the UW community, the policies implemented in response, and resources available to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and employees. They also discussed the UW’s supplemental budget priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

During the past few budget cycles, the state legislature made significant investments in high-demand STEM degree programs to help meet overwhelming student demand and the state’s workforce shortages in STEM fields. The UW’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) was one recipient of state funds aimed at increasing enrollment and degree production. Braun met with UW College of Engineering Dean Nancy Allbritton and CSE Development & Outreach Associate Director Ed Lazowska to learn more about CSE’s programs and students. He also toured of the Paul G. Allen Center for CSE and the new Bill & Melinda Gates Center for CSE, which was funded in large part by the legislature.

Last, Braun met with UW Medical Center CEO Cindy Hecker to discuss UW Medicine’s critical role in the COVID-19 response and receive an update on construction of the new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility. UW Medicine and the Behavioral Health Teaching Facility received considerable state investments to deliver essential health care services to Washingtonians and train future providers.

Thank you, Sen. Braun, for your support of the UW and for taking the time to visit campus.

A guide to rulemaking: WA Dept. of Ecology developing rules on climate and energy laws

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In 2021, the state legislature passed several environmental policies that create new markets and regulations affecting public organizations, private companies, industries, and residents across Washington state. In anticipation of these laws going into effect, the Department of Ecology and other state agencies are conducting rulemaking processes to determine how the laws will be implemented.

Rulemaking is utilized by state agencies to help clarify, apply, or enforce a state law. The rulemaking process is often lengthy due to the development, notice, and public feedback requirements. At the start of the rulemaking process, a state agency must post a notice of intent to change, adopt, or repeal a rule and draft and release proposed rule language. The public then has the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed language, which the state agency reviews and considers. If substantial changes are made to a proposed rule based on public feedback, the agency must once again post a notice and provide additional opportunity for public input. Agencies must also complete a small business economic impact statement if the proposed rule imposes more than minor costs on business or industry or as requested by the Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee. When the process is complete, the rule is adopted and becomes known as a Washington Administrative Code (WAC) and is regulated and enforced like a law passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

UW faculty and staff are welcome to participate in any rulemaking process by providing public comment. Working with state agencies to implement rules is not considered lobbying for public employees. In fact, the expertise of University of Washington faculty and staff may help the state implement rules more efficiently, equitably, and effectively.

Rulemaking processes are underway for the Climate Commitment Act (cap-and-invest program), Clean Fuel Standard, Healthy Environment for All Act (the HEAL Act advances environmental justice in state agencies) and updates to the Clean Air Act (to fold in Hydrofluorocarbons, HFCs). Click here to read more about new legislation and corresponding public comment periods.

UW Tacoma welcomes new Chancellor and celebrates Milgard Hall construction

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Yesterday, UW Tacoma welcomed incoming Chancellor Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange and celebrated the start of construction on Milgard Hall.

Dr. Edwards Lange began her appointment as UW Tacoma’s chancellor on Sept. 16 and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in higher education. Edwards Lange previously served as president of Seattle Central College where she championed student success, particularly for traditionally underrepresented students, and helped lead efforts to establish the Seattle Promise, which provides two years of free tuition at the Seattle Colleges to graduates of Seattle Public Schools. Due to her leadership at Seattle Central, Edwards Lange received the Washington Community College CEO of the Year award in 2020 from the Washington State Association of College Trustees, as well as Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2021 Director of the Year award.

Edwards Lange is no stranger to the UW, having served as the UW’s Vice President of Minority Affairs and Diversity from 2007-15 where she led the creation of the University’s first Diversity Blueprint. She also earned her doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies and master’s in public administration from the UW.

In her role as Chancellor, Edwards Lange will provide leadership on all UW Tacoma campus matters, including the construction of Milgard Hall. Scheduled to open ahead of schedule in winter 2022/23, the 55,000 square-foot building will house the fast-growing Milgard School of Business and new high-demand programs in civil and mechanical engineering. It will also allow for the expansion of UW Tacoma’s Global Innovation and Design Lab and a high-impact practices teaching space. The building will provide a flexible learning environment that promotes interdisciplinary innovation and community engagement. It also centers sustainable building resources with the primary structure formed by cross-laminated timber.

The construction of Milgard Hall and the creation of UW Tacoma’s School of Engineering would not have been possible without generous support from the state legislature. In attendance at the celebration was House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Representatives Kelly Chambers and Mari Leavitt, and Senator T’wina Nobles. Thank you, legislators, for attending the celebration and your continued support of UW Tacoma and its success.

Groundbreaking ceremony for new, historic Behavioral Health Teaching Facility

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Today, a celebration was held for the groundbreaking of the new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility located at UW Medical Center–Northwest. The state legislature funded the construction of this historic project during the 2021 legislative session as part of their commitment to expand vital behavioral health services in the state. Washington continues to face a behavioral health crisis with a growing number of residents who need services and a workforce that cannot keep up with demand. The new facility will allow for a comprehensive range of clinical and educational programs designed to help address the state’s critical behavioral health needs.

Scheduled to open late 2023, the six-story building will support a full continuum of behavioral health clinical services focused on supporting urgent health care needs, as well as the transition to community-based living. The facility will hold 150 beds serving adults on long-term civil commitment, geropsychiatry, and behavioral-health patients with comorbidities and significant medical or surgical needs. It will also house a crisis stabilization unit, modern neuromodulation program, and 24/7 telepsychiatry consultation program that will allow UW experts to consult with primary care, community hospital, and emergency room providers across the state to care for individuals with mental health and substance use challenges.

The one-of-a-kind facility will integrate interdisciplinary training and workforce development programs focused on preparing and supporting the next generation of behavioral health providers for the state. Washington state faces an urgent behavioral health workforce shortage, and hundreds of future health care providers and allied health professionals will train at the new facility each year.

Instrumental in securing support for the building, Gov. Jay Inslee, Senate Capital Budget Chair David Frockt, and House Speaker Emeritus Frank Chopp attended the groundbreaking. They spoke about how behavioral health challenges impact all Washingtonians directly or indirectly and the importance of the transformational behavioral health care and workforce development that will occur at the facility. They also spoke about the overwhelming bipartisan and community support that made the facility possible and are excited to be nationwide leaders in behavioral health.

UW and labor leaders also spoke at the groundbreaking emphasizing the importance of the facility for the health and well-being of residents and communities across the state, especially as the detrimental impacts of the ongoing pandemic continue to be felt. The UW is ready to offer compassionate and effective care for patients and families and inspire and train the next generation of behavioral health care providers.

Thank you to the elected officials and UW and community leaders whose advocacy and support made the new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility a reality.

Watch today’s event here. For more information, see UW Medicine’s press release.

First 2021-23 economic and revenue forecast shows strong budget collections

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The Washington State Economic and Revenue Forecast Council projects 2021-23 state budget collections will increase by more than $927 in their newly published September quarterly report. The report is the first since the end of the 2019-21 biennium. The state’s General Fund revenue is now projected at $59.3 billion for the current two-year budget cycle, which began July 1.

Real estate excise taxes are the main driver of the improved revenue collections with residential real estate sales remaining strong and commercial sales seeing a significant increase. Retail sales tax collections were also stronger than forecasted in the June quarterly report.

Washington state employment stays steady with the unemployment rate unchanged at 5.1%. An increase of 2.4% in the state’s employment is expected this year, with average growth between 2022-25 projected at 2.2% per year.

The forecast also shows higher personal income and inflation in the state since the June report. The state’s inflation numbers match the national average, while personal income is expected to begin slowing next year due to decreasing federal stimulus dollars meant to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compared to this time last year, Washington state’s economy is in a much better position. The 2022 legislative session is approaching, beginning on January 10, with state legislators focused on making fixes to the 21-22 biennial budget. While the September outlook shows strong budget collections, the ongoing pandemic’s impacts on the economy and economic growth mean state revenues will remain fragile and uncertain.

For more information, view the Council’s September economic and revenue forecast documents here.