Legislative session began Monday with a 91探花flag raising led by Governor Jay Inslee to celebrate the Husky football team鈥檚 inspiring season. 91探花Regent Rogelio Riojas joined the celebration and helped raise the flag alongside Governor Inslee, Sen. Javier Valdez, Rep. Chris Corry, and the other Husky faithful in attendance.
After the flag raising, the 2024 legislative session kicked into full gear. Washington State鈥檚 budgets are biennial and last year, the legislature decided the 2023-25 operating, capital, and transportation budgets. During this year鈥檚 short, 60-day session, legislators will adopt the state鈥檚 supplemental budgets, which make minor adjustments to the biennial budgets. The Governor starts the budget process and in mid-December, released his supplemental budget proposals.
Throughout the week, Morgan Hickel and Joe Dacca with the Office of State Relations testified before the House and Senate fiscal committees in support of the Governor鈥檚 proposed operating and capital budgets. Both budget proposals include funding for the UW鈥檚 top , which are:
- Expansion of the 91探花School of Dentistry Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) program;
- Support for the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering Scholars (formerly Startup) Program;
- Design funding for a new Chemical Sciences Building and modernization of Bagley Hall, and;
- Climate Commitment Act funding for energy renewal projects on all three 91探花campuses, as well as 91探花Medicine-Montlake and -Northwest.
On Wednesday, College of Arts & Sciences Dean Dianne Harris and Department of Chemistry Chair Munira Khalil traveled to Olympia to meet with capital budget leaders to advocate for the funding to design and plan for a new Chemical Sciences Building and renovate Bagley Hall. Built in 1937 and 1957, the current facilities are overwhelmed by student demand and program constraints and do not meet the requirements for modern science education and research.
Also on Wednesday, Regent Jay Cunningham participated in a confirmation hearing in the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee. The members of the 91探花Board of Regents are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate after a public confirmation hearing and floor vote. At the hearing, Regent Cunningham provided testimony about his background and commitment to service to the UW. The committee then voted to advance his confirmation to the Senate floor for consideration and a vote by all the members.
Next week, the regents and trustees from Washington鈥檚 public four-year higher education institutions and community and technical colleges will convene in Olympia to meet with legislators to advocate for improving access to college, expanding critical student support services, supporting faculty and staff, and improving postsecondary credential attainment to ensure Washington鈥檚 workforce needs are met.
If you have questions about the UW’s legislative priorities, the legislature, or specific bills, please reach out to the 91探花Office of State Relations. Stay tuned for updates throughout session.