Bills still standing after first round of cut-offs

Bills that survived the first cut-off on Friday, Feb. 22 to pass out of policy committees have until Friday, March 1 to clear fiscal committees. Bills have until Wednesday, March 13, to be sent to the opposite chamber to start the whole process all over again.

Next week’s edition will include a round-up of bills of significant impact to community and technical colleges that survive Friday’s fiscal cut-off.

Bill status

See pages 1-5 for bills of significant interest to community and technical colleges that survived the February 22 cut-off. The bills are paired with their companions and their last known location is provided.

See pages 5-6 for bills that did not survive cut-off.

Budget bills and bills considered "necessary to implement the budget" are exempt from these early cut-off deadlines. As always, parts of any bills can be revived and reintroduced in amendments.

Amended efficiency bill gets hearing

On Monday, the House Capital Budget Committee heard House Bill 1769 with two key amendments:

● Section 1 increases the threshold for predesign from $5 million to $10 million and increases the maximum value for a minor work project from $2 million to $5 million, for higher education.
● Removed Sections 2 and 3, which would have authorized colleges to use Certificates of Participation (COP) without additional legislative approval.

Nancy McKinney, South Puget Sound Community College vice president for administrative services, spoke in favor of the bill without the amendment removing COP authority for schools.

She explained that colleges often use Certificates of Participation (COP) to finance construction projects for which the debt can be covered with local funds.

“Under current law, the Legislature must authorize these COPs, even if the college has sufficient revenue to cover the debt service,” she said.

She explained that projects are still put out to bid, even when COP-funded.

The colleges would use the proposed authority to deliver self-supported and locally-funded programs sooner, with oversight of college boards and the State Treasurer's Office.

“The requirement for legislative approval can postpone construction for a year or more, impacting our ability to meet the demands of students and employers,” she said. “For colleges to be responsive to business and training needs, a year is a long time.”

Policy cut-off winnows bill list

For legislators serving on fiscal committees, the next few days will be hectic as executive session schedules grow exponentially. Bills surviving today’s first cut-off to pass out of policy committees have until Friday, March 1 to clear fiscal committees. Bills have until Wednesday, March 13, to be sent to the opposite chamber to start the whole process all over again.

Budget bills and bills considered "necessary to implement the budget" are exempt from these early cut-off deadlines. Next week’s edition will include a round-up of bills of significant impact to community and technical colleges that survive today’s Feb. 22 policy cut-off.

College degree programs bill clears House Committee

A bill sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, that would allow the Department of Corrections to fund college degree programs in prison, won the support of the House Higher Education Committee on Thursday. Current law allows the department to offer adult basic education and vocational training, but bars the department from providing for college degree programs.

In earlier testimony on Wednesday, Jacquie Armstrong, SBCTC policy associate for corrections, testified in favor of the measure, pointing out that prison education interrupts generational poverty, reduces recidivism, and increases wages.

Joe Small, Walla Walla Community College dean of corrections, said the college’s AA degree program is funded by a third-party and not the state. “It’s given them hope, and it’s given them self confidence that they can go out there and do something important and take care of themselves and their families,” he said.

Gina McConnell, Seattle Central Community College student, testified she was able to escape street life and stay out of prison thanks to the self-confidence she gained in a prison horticulture program. “I thought of myself as nothing but a street monger and did not believe that I was worth more than anything other than to die a statistic. I know that (education) has changed my life and it gave me a purpose.” She recently started working for the King County juvenile court system, reunifying parents and children.

A similar story of hope was offered by Kevin Miller, who earned a computer information system program certificate and later an AA degree while at the Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla and the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. He has been out of prison for seven months and is now enrolled at Washington State University. “The reason I’m here is because of the transfer degree I earned. I’m employed. I have housing. A lot of wonderful things are happening in my life. My transition has been successful because of the opportunities I had while I was incarcerated.”

State financial aid for immigrant children wins support

The House Higher Education Committee on Thursday approved Substitute House Bill 1817 by Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Tukwila, to extend state financial aid to undocumented students often referred to as “DREAMers.” More details about this measure will be featured in the next edition of Legislative News after further staff analysis.

Expanded role for Centers of Excellence considered

On Thursday, the House Labor & Workforce Development Committee held a public hearing and took action on Substitute House Bill 1823 concerning the Centers of Excellence.

The Centers of Excellence (COE) are currently created and operated under the auspices of the community and technical college system. Centers work with employers, other colleges, career and technical education programs in regional high schools, skill centers, and labor representatives to develop curriculum and training programs and to promote best practices in education and training to support the targeted industry.

The bill expands the role of COEs to include acting as central sources of information for businesses in targeted industries and working with K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs.

Jim Crabbe, SBCTC director of workforce education, and Barbara Hins-Turner, Pacific Northwest Center of Excellence for Clean Energy executive director, testified in support with concerns.

At present, the centers are largely self-support, with base funding of only $154,000 per year for each of the 10 centers. Crabbe said the additional cost for the system would be an estimated $1.6 million (for 1.5 FTE employees at each of 10 COEs and one FTE at SBCTC for administration/grant coordination).

Bill sponsor, Rep. Mike Sells, D-Everett, asked if the system would entertain running a pilot or two instead. Crabbe was open to the idea, with appropriate funding, saying the expansion is laudable, but without additional resources it’s a “bridge too far.”

Hins-Turner said that in the face of economic and budget uncertainties, the centers have experienced high turnover, losing 12 directors since their inception. In her role since 2005, she is the longest-serving COE director. The short-term nature of externally funded, project-based grants also leads to fluctuations in staff levels as grants expire.

She said the centers with the greatest accomplishments are those which have secured external funding, whose directors have some longevity, and have formed strong partnerships with industry and labor.

The bill passed out of committee Wednesday.

Bill requires colleges inform students about multiple ways to place into pre-college classes

On Tuesday, the Senate Higher Education Committee heard Senate Bill 5712 which encourages colleges to make students aware of the several ways — in addition to placement tests — to determine the need for precollege courses.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, requires SBCTC to encourage colleges to use multiple measures to determine whether a student must enroll in a pre-college course including — but not limited to — placement tests, the SAT, high school transcripts, college transcripts, or initial class performance.

Michelle Andreas, SBCTC director of student services and transfer education, testified in support, and said our community and technical colleges have made a major effort to study and review pre-college efforts and best practices for placing students in remedial courses.

“While colleges do not have clearly posted options for multiple measures,” she said, “we are happy to do so.”

She said research shows that multiple tools to assess multiple populations show better results, so colleges are working to use different measures, such as high school grade point average, as a predictor of college success.

Colleges are also working with local high schools and mapping course-taking patterns to determine placement in college. High school and college faculty-to-faculty collaboration has been helping in aligning curriculum.

The bill passed out of committee today and awaits further action.

Companion TANF bills heard

On Tuesday, the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee and the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee heard companion bills regarding the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Senate Bill 5643, sponsored by Sen. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, and House Bill 1734, sponsored by Rep. David Sawyer, D-Tacoma, would significantly expand exemptions and hardship extensions to the 60-month TANF time limit.

Most significant was the option for an extension for residents in counties that had an unemployment rate of six percent or more. Rep. Sawyer shared substitute language regarding circumstances beyond the parent's control and the impact on economically disadvantaged counties. The substitute removes all new exemption categories except for the hardship exemption allowed when a family receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Persons lives in a county where the rate of unemployment is 10 percent or higher.

Rick Krauss, SBCTC policy associate, testified that the SBCTC supports a more flexible approach to time limits for students with challenges. Krauss highlighted some of the programs – parenting skills, family support, college orientation, I-BEST, community partnerships – the system developed to support WorkFirst students in their college engagement, retention, and successful completion.

In both hearings, advocate representatives spoke in support. David Stillman, DSHS Economic Services Administration, said the substitute bill addresses some of their concerns, but there are still several issues with the legislation they could help resolve.

Representatives of advocate organizations testified in support as this legislation recognized issues beyond a participant's control and the adverse impact on children for the loss of TANF support.

Listen to testimony on TVW

Defining work and extending education and training time for WorkFirst

On Tuesday, the Senate Human Services & Corrections Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 5600 which would revise the definition of WorkFirst work activities to include education and training provided by CTCs.

Sponsored by Sen. James Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, the bill would also increase the maximum length of time for vocational education from the current 12 months to 24.

Rick Krauss, SBCTC policy associate, spoke in support, explaining how the current 12-month limit does not allow students to pursue two-year vocational degrees. “Students struggle to finish within 12 months, because they need to take prerequisites [to get to college-level work],” he said. “And to be eligible for the training, students also have to work 20 hours a week, which is a challenge because most have children.”

Its companion bill, HB 1342, passed out of committee last week and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Listen to testimony on TVW

 

CTCs included in Governor’s jobs plan

This week, a Renton Technical College aerospace student set the stage for Gov. Jay Inslee’s Wednesday jobs plan announcement. A number of bills important to the CTC system have been on the move, including regulatory relief, financial emergency rules, and renaming GED in statutes. With the Feb. 22 policy committee cut-off date fast approaching, bills need to pass through committees if they are to advance through the Legislature this year.

Governor rolls out jobs plan

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday rolled out his jobs plan at a news conference opened by Ian Anderson, a recent graduate of Renton Technical College’s Aerospace Assembly Mechanic program.

“For our state to compete in the global economy, we must create a working Washington that sustains an innovative economic climate in every corner of the state,” Inslee said. “I have confidence we can answer the challenge.”

Inslee’s agenda includes a mix of proposals in STEM education, aerospace training, clean energy, health care, regulatory reform, and tax relief.

For CTCs, the proposal includes:

● Fund 500 enrollment slots in high-demand aerospace training programs.
● Establish the National Career Readiness Certification assessment program for 2,500 high school graduates in 50 aerospace assembly and advanced manufacturing programs.
● Establish a “talent pipeline” from high school to CTCs to career by expanding industry-developed high school programs and allow credits to transfer to college.
● Fund “Return to Industry” grants for CTCs that offer aerospace-related programs so instructors can keep up-to-date on the latest innovations and technology.
● Expand the staffing and resources of the Center of Excellence for Aerospace and Advanced Materials Manufacturing in Everett.
● Expand the revolving loan program for short-term aerospace training programs including those at the Washington Aerospace Training Center, Inland Northwest Aerospace Technology Center, and Renton Technical College.
● Develop an aerospace training facility proposed by the City of Renton, which is working closely with Renton Technical College.

In his opening remarks, Anderson highlighted the value of his aerospace training at Renton Technical College.

“I’ve been out of class for less than two weeks now and let me tell you something: I’m not scared of finding a job. I’ve been applying to numerous aerospace assembly companies and have been getting responses back in 24 hours or less,” he said. “If you have a dream, take the first step. Pick any of the community and technical colleges found in Washington. They will help you achieve your dreams.”

Inslee described his plan as the “first launch” with more proposals to come.

Listen to the news conference on TVW.
Read the governor’s news release and accompanying materials.

GED might be replaced with generic language

A proposal to replace the term “GED” with “High School Equivalency Certificate” in state law was heard Tuesday in the House Higher Education Committee.
Sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, the proposed language change in House Bill 1686 would allow Washington to offer alternative tests in the future so test-takers get the highest quality, most cost-effective high school equivalency exams.

As part of a joint venture in 2011 between the American Council on Education and Pearson VUE, the GED® became a proprietary, trademarked test. Changes to the test have increased costs for colleges and students.

Jon Kerr, SBCTC director for adult basic education, testified in favor of the measure.

“This change would open the door for more than 22,000 individuals who test each year here in Washington to access to the highest quality and most cost-effective test available,” Kerr said. “We have a trademarked vendor in our statutes. … This change would allow consideration of approved alternative tests in the future that may better meet the needs of students and the workforce.”

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Its companion measure, Senate Bill 5646, sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, passed unopposed in today’s Senate Higher Education Committee meeting and now moves to the Rules Committee.

Regulatory relief bills get hearing

On Tuesday, the Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 5736 and on Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee heard its companion House Bill 1736, both concerning higher education operating efficiencies.

Both bills would impact several practices in higher education and state agencies:

● Requires OFM to work with other state agencies on a comprehensive review of reporting requirements related to energy code building standards and greenhouse gas emissions, and make recommendations for coordinating and streamlining.
● Allow state colleges and universities to use or accept electronic signatures for human resource, benefits, or payroll processes that require a signature.
● Authorize the Student Achievement Council to enter into reciprocity agreements for online education with other states on behalf of Washington’s public colleges and universities.

Barbara McCullough, Grays Harbor College vice president of administrative services, said the bill would streamline data collection for financial services and facilities staff, which are already overstretched because of staff reductions caused by budget cuts.

Steve Ward, Centralia College vice president of finance and administration, spoke Tuesday in favor of the section on electronic signatures, saying it would greatly increase efficiency and simplify human resources, benefits and payroll processes.

Bill Saraceno, Columbia Basin College senior vice president for administration, testified both days, and said the regulatory relief bill is important for the CTC system as a whole and that — in the interest of transparency and information-sharing with students — he supports seeing that reports collected are posted. “We think if OFM takes a look at all the different reporting requirements, they could make recommendations to consolidate the collection of the information,” he said. “Streamlining reporting requirements will allow us to focus on providing student services.”

Joann Wiszmann, Pierce College District vice president for administrative services, testified both days and said allowing the Student Achievement Council to work on behalf of Washington colleges and universities will save individual colleges a lot of administrative work.

“Having a single state entity coordinate agreements with other states on behalf of all the colleges will greatly reduce workload at colleges offering online education and allow us to deliver the education more effectively,” she explained. “Presently, each college must enter into an agreement with each state — even if only one student from that state is enrolled — who wants to take one of their on-line courses. This one-to-one arrangement creates a lot of workload for relatively few students at a college.

Margaret Shepard, University of Washington director of state relations; and Paul Francis, Council of Presidents interim executive director, spoke in favor of the bill.

Don Bennett, Washington Student Achievement Council, said while the council has not taken a policy position on the bill, he supports the creation of reciprocal agreements for interstate compacts.

Listen to Senate Higher Education testimony on TVW.

Listen to House Higher Education testimony on TVW.

Financial emergency law heard in committee

A financial emergency law that allows for expedited faculty layoffs during deep state budget cuts would be overturned under a bill heard by the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee onTuesday. Existing law allows SBCTC to declare a financial emergency if state budget reductions meet a certain threshold, a move that enables colleges to use a 60-day layoff process.

Sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey, D-Tacoma, House Bill 1535 drew support from Sandra Schroeder, AFT Washington president, and Karen Patjens and Tina Smith-Klahn, both Bates Technical College instructors. Also testifying in favor of the measure was Robert  Ackein, Bates instructor. “There was nothing to stop the administration from terminating our employment. Tenure had been rendered meaningless and anything was possible,” Ackein said of 2009 layoffs enacted by Bates Technical College.

John Boesenburg, SBCTC human resources director, and Debra Lisser, co-chair of the Legislative Action Committee of the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges, cast the financial emergency option as a “tool of last resort” that has been invoked only three times since the law was enacted in 1981, with only one college using the expedited layoff option.

“No one likes layoffs. It’s a tough conversation to have,” Lisser explained. “[The financial emergency law] helps boards make quicker decisions to serve students in a time of unanticipated revenue shortfalls. In such times, timing is vital.”

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Efficiencies for higher education capital projects

On Wednesday, the House Higher Education Committee heard House Bill 1769 creating efficiencies for institutions of higher education.

The bill would ease regulations in capital project planning and financing for higher education institutions:

● Increases the threshold for minor works projects from $2 million to $5 million.
● Increases the threshold for predesign requirements for major construction works from $5 million to $10 million.
● Permits regional universities, The Evergreen State College, and CTCs to enter into financing contracts (Certificates of Participation) — repayable only from local fees and revenues — for property, without being subject to appropriation by the Legislature.

Nancy McKinney, South Puget Sound Community College vice president for administrative services, spoke in favor of the proposed changes to the predesign threshold and minor work limits. She explained that colleges often use Certificates of Participation (COP) to finance construction projects for which the debt can be covered with local funds.

“Under current law, the Legislature must authorize these COPs, even if the college has sufficient revenue to cover the debt service,” she said. “The requirement for legislative approval can postpone construction for a year or more.”

The colleges would use the proposed authority to deliver self-supported and locally-funded programs sooner, with oversight of college boards and the State Treasurer's Office.

Listen to testimony on TVW.

CTC bills moving, student rally a success

This past week, a number of bills important to the community and technical college system have been on the move. Bills include differential tuition, modifications to the Job Skills Program, and changes to WorkFirst to name a few. With the Feb. 22 policy committee cutoff date fast approaching, bills need to pass through committees if they are to advance through the legislative process this year.

 

Student rally huge success

More than 400 students representing all 34 CTCs participated in the Feb. 1 student rally on the capitol campus. Emceed by Kailene Sparrs, Washington Community and Technical College Student Association (WACTCSA) council chair, the event drew a large crowd of elected officials, legislative staff members, and higher education stakeholders.

Sparrs set the tone by emphasizing how funding higher education leads directly to state job growth, "We want our students to be able to get an education so they can go out and get jobs and be contributing members of the community," Sparrs said.

Senate Higher Education Committee chair Sen. Barbara Bailey (R-Oak Harbor), shared her goal in providing job-ready educational opportunities for college students across the state. "My goal is to make sure that every single person in this state that wants an education... will get that education and a job at the end."

Dan Altmayer, Highline Community College trustee, told students additional funding is needed to help ease the cost burden associated with postsecondary education, "We need more money for the system so we can do this without putting it on the backs of our students, " Altmayer said.

Additional elected officials who addressed the crowd included Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor), House Higher Education chair; Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland), House Higher Education ranking member; Rep. Chris Reykdal (D-Tumwater), House Labor and Workforce Development vice-chair; Rep. Hans Zeiger (R-Puyallup), House Higher Education assistant ranking member; Rep. Norma Smith (R-Clinton), House Technology and Economic Development ranking member; and Sen. David Frockt (D-Seattle), Senate Higher Education member.

Mark Mitsui, North Seattle Community College president and Chris Bailey, Lower Columbia Community College president also addressed students and echoed the messages of funding higher education.

Link to YouTube video.

Job Skills Program enhancements proposed

On Tuesday, the Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing on proposed substitute Senate Bill 5560, which would change the Job Skills Program (JSP) to encourage participation from small businesses.

The bill would remove fiscal-year funding deadlines and exempt small businesses from providing a dollar-for-dollar match for JSP training grants.

Anna Nikolaeva, SBCTC program administrator for economic development, testified in support, explaining how current provisions of the program discourage businesses — especially small businesses — from accessing the JSP training funds.

The June 30 fiscal year cut-off date discourages businesses from applying late in the year and causes training to be abandoned or interrupted midstream.

“Allowing funds to roll over lets partners carry out large training projects or projects starting later in the fiscal year,” she said. “The proposed bill makes the program flexible, user-friendly, and more accessible to small businesses.”

Ted Klein, Carlile Transportation Systems operations manager, described the great results and impact for his small business.

Ray Wallace, Impact Washington, explained how his nonprofit organization helps Washington manufacturers compete globally by partnering with SBCTC to deliver the JSP grant, saying that timing and the dollar-for-dollar cost match have been challenges.

Wallace said the state Department of Commerce includes the JSP grant in its toolkit of incentives to recruit new businesses to the state, citing Sealy Mattress as a recent example, with 109 new workers being trained.

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Tax incentives for donations to higher ed

On Tuesday, the Senate Higher Education Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 5131. The bill would grant a new tax credit to businesses that donate modern laboratory and training equipment to community and technical colleges, vocational skill centers, or Northwest Indian College.

The tax credit would apply for donations retaining half their useful life and used in engineering, physical sciences, biological sciences, computer sciences, agriculture and food processing, or other fields based on rules established by the Washington Student Achievement Council.

The bill requires colleges to establish fair market value of any donation and report it to the Department of Revenue.

Sen. Jim Honeyford, R-Sunnyside, testified as the bill’s prime sponsor. He said the bill’s concept originated with Bill Bonaudi, former Big Bend Community College president, when his college received a donation of a full-scale center pivot system and a small-scale center pivot classroom model to start a new irrigation training program.

“I believe this is a good solution so our students can work with modern equipment,” Honeyford said. “They can go straight to work and not need to be retrained by employers.”

Jim Crabbe, SBCTC director of workforce education, spoke in support, saying, “This is a crying need in the technical training programs. Some of our programs need very expensive equipment the colleges could not otherwise afford.”
The public baccalaureate schools asked to be included in the bill language. Julie Garver, The Evergreen State College, and Jane Wall, Council of Presidents, described how their STEM-related degree programs face similar equipment challenges as the two-year colleges.

Kristen Blum, New Market Skills Center, spoke in support of the bill on behalf of the 13 skills centers statewide.

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Faculty increments bill gets hearing

On Thursday, the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1348, which would require community and technical colleges to provide step increases or increments as they are negotiated in local agreements, even if the amount exceeds the compensation provided by the Legislature in the state budget. Under existing law, salary increases cannot exceed the amount set in the state budget.

Rep. Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, the bill’s sponsor, characterized the bill as a “matter of fairness” that will help keep quality professionals in the two-year college system and honor agreements already reached with faculty – a perspective shared in testimony by representatives of AFT Washington and the Washington Education Association.

Also testifying in favor of the bill were faculty members Amy Kinsel, Shoreline Community College; Douglas Brown, Bellevue College; and Bill Lyne, Western Washington University.

John Boesenberg, SBCTC human resources director, testified that the State Board and colleges strongly support increments and have consistently requested money in the state budget to fund them, including a $10 million request for the 2013-2015 operating budget.

Boesenberg shared concerns the bill would shift the responsibility of paying for salary increments from the state to local colleges and students. Another concern, he said, is that colleges differ in their ability to pay for salary increases; employees doing similar work at different institutions could be paid quite differently. He urged the committee to support all community and technical college employees by supporting the system’s budget request.

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Longer training time a good investment for WorkFirst students

On Thursday, the House Early Learning & Human Services Committee heard testimony on House Bill 1342 which would revise the definition of WorkFirst work activities to include education and training provided by CTCs.

The bill would also increase the maximum length of time for vocational education from the current 12 months to 24.

Rick Krauss, SBCTC policy associate, spoke in support, explaining how the current 12-month limit does not allow students to pursue two-year vocational degrees.

“Students struggle to finish within 12 months, because they need to take prerequisites [to get to college-level work],” he said. “And to be eligible for the training, students also have to work 20 hours a week, which is a challenge because most have children.”

Kate Baber, Statewide Poverty Action Network government relations manager, spoke in support of the bill.

Marcy Bowers, Statewide Poverty Action Network, read a letter from a student who earned a GED and was working toward a medical billing certificate when her training time ran out. The student said if she had an opportunity for one more year of classes, her skills would help her be job-ready and move off public assistance.

Two other students testified how education provided through WorkFirst has expanded their opportunities. The state will earn even more on its investment by expanding the length of time for vocational education, they said.

Listen to testimony on TVW.

Week three spotlights CTCs, Gov. lauds students

Community and technical colleges have worked hard this week! Presidents and trustees were in town for annual meetings, Gov. Inslee and legislators addressed the CTCs, and committees heard bills important to the CTC system.

The Feb. 6 edition of Legislative News will include today's student rally where more than 400 CTC students gathered to show support for funding community and technical colleges.

Governor and legislators address trustees

Gov. Jay Inslee gave the keynote speech at the Trustees Association for Community and Technical Colleges (TACTC) winter conference Tuesday evening, crediting the value, flexibility, and job-relevant training offered at two-year colleges.
 

"It's a treat … to share the evening with the people who run the single best value and the most efficient system in the state of Washington," he said.
 

Inslee painted the CTC system as a powerful incentive for businesses to locate and grow in Washington. Recalling a conversation to lure a transmission-systems firm to Washington, Gov. Inslee said, "I talked to him about the fact that we have a community and technical college system that is directly aligned with the demands of our manufacturing, engineering and software-based economy."

Inslee also underscored the importance of aligning Washington's public education system from preschool through college.
 

Tuesday's event honored "Transforming Lives" award recipients and nominees, students and graduates who overcame barriers to pursue degrees and certificates in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) or other high-demand professions.
 

"[These stories] are emblematic of the treasure that is our community and technical college system," Inslee said.
 

During the TACTC conference on Wednesday, several legislators addressed the 200-plus trustees, presidents, and other guests gathered.
 

Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, House Higher Education Committee ranking member, said higher education should be affordable for everyone who wants a two-year or four-year degree or training.

He said legislators are working on a bill – nicknamed 50/50 by 2020 – which aims to restore state support of higher education to at least 50 percent by the year 2020.
 

Haler suggested that, unfortunately, the general public paints two-year colleges with the same brush as the four-year colleges when it comes to the perception of high salaries and annual bonuses.
 

Rep. Chris Reykdal, D-Tumwater, House Higher Education Committee member, said the community and technical college system is most vulnerable right now — when the economy is improving and enrollments decreasing — but that two-year colleges fill a vital niche in providing skilled workers for available jobs.
 

He suggested that middle-skills jobs — those that pay around $15 per hour and require less than a bachelor's degree — are the community and technical colleges' stock-in-trade. A shortage of these employees spells trouble for Washington's economy, said Reykdal. Importing employees from other states is not a viable option because they are less likely to relocate than those with bachelor's degrees.
 

Sen. Andy Hill, R-Redmond, Senate Ways and Means Committee chair, said developing a sustainable budget is key to protecting higher education funding. The budget ax often falls on colleges and universities because, unlike K-12 schools, they lack constitutional protections and 12 years' worth of parent advocacy. Hill said he wants to measure success by the results produced, not by the amount of money spent. "I don't want to fund things anymore; I want to buy things," he said.
 

Hill said the Majority Coalition is exploring options for higher education funding, such as giving colleges a predictable, baseline budget every year, indexed to inflation. Any new money would flow into a performance-based system. For community and technical colleges, new money would go into the existing Student Achievement Initiative.

Holistic approach to student services

Integrating higher education planning, employment, and social support services can make all the difference in getting students through school and into jobs. That was the message heard Wednesday at a work session of the House Higher Education Committee.
 

Mark Mitsui, North Seattle Community College president, highlighted the college's Opportunity Center for Employment and Education, a one-stop hub where students can get seamless services from the college, the Department of Health and Social Services, and the Employment Security Department. "What we're basically doing is helping people escape poverty," he said. One student, he said, rode his bike 48 miles round-trip to work, but found centralized services at the Opportunity Center. Recently, he was admitted into an RN program and is on his way to a high wage, high-demand profession. "Can you imagine trying to ride your bike from agency to agency in order to get help and then try to make your way to class on time?"
 

Wendy Peterson, Opportunity Center integration manager, said the Opportunity Center is the first fully-integrated, one-stop center of its kind in Washington. The center has already served 40,000 people since it opened in May 2011.
 

Scott Copeland, SBCTC student services policy associate, stressed the importance of Opportunity Grants, which help low-income adults train for high-wage, high-demand careers. The Opportunity Grant program provides financial assistance for tuition, fees, books, and supplies for up to 45 college credits. It also provides support services, such as advising, counseling, tutoring and college success workshops. Students have a single-point-of contact for financial aid and overall support services, and access to emergency funds for child care and transportation. "The support and wraparound services makes this unique from any other financial aid program," he said. "It's not, 'here's the money, go to school, and good luck down the road.'"
 

Victoria Lauber, Shoreline Community College program specialist, discussed integrated services at the college. Most students come in either because they need food assistance, are receiving unemployment, or are looking for worker retraining. Opportunity Grants, she said, allow students to start immediately the next quarter.
 

Gary Oertli, South Seattle Community College president, and Elizabeth Pluhta, South Seattle Community College associate vice president for college relations and advancement, spoke of the tremendous success of the "13th Year Promise Scholarship." Funded by the South Seattle Community College Foundation, the scholarships cover one-year of tuition for students at Cleveland High School and Chief Sealth High School. High school seniors attend a readiness academy, workshops, and field trips to prepare for the transition to college. And while enrolled, they participate in monthly advisory meetings. "The goal is to keep this in perpetuity so that students coming up the pipeline know that one year of college is available for them," said Oertli.
 

Listen to testimony on TVW.
 

Job Skills Program bill heard in committee

House Bill 1247, prime sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, was heard in the House Labor and Workforce Development Committee on Wednesday.
 

The Job Skills Program, administered by the SBCTC, is a customized training program to help businesses train new or current employees. HB 1247 would make it easier for small businesses earning less than $500,000 annually to participate in this program by eliminating the dollar-for-dollar funding match for training. Instead of paying for training, eligible small businesses would pay salary and benefits for those employees being trained.
 

Rep. Hansen explained how this bill is going to improve access for small businesses to train their workforce and ultimately, citizens get better jobs. "This bill will make sure the training we support as a state actually leads to a real credential or degree, instead of just going into a dead-end job."
 

The SBCTC worked over the summer with Rep. Hansen and other stakeholders in a Lean process for the JSP program to increase efficiency. Hansen told committee members, "The state board went through its own lean process [for the JSP program]. They looked at every part of this process. It was just great."
 

Anna Nikolaeva, SBCTC policy associate, testified in support of this bill and explained how HB 1247 helps small businesses. Nikolaeva said, "It will allow businesses to get training on their own timeline…and it will also provide more equitable access for small businesses to training funds."
 

Sue Ambler, Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County president and CEO, also testified in support of this bill and explained the positive impact this bill will have on employers in Snohomish County. "These are businesses who struggle in order to skill up, get new workers or frankly, to train incumbent workers so they can expand, and diversify," Ambler said.
 

Mary Trimarco, Department of Commerce business service division manager, also testified in support of HB 1247. Increased flexibility and matching employer needs helps small businesses and the state's economy. Trimarco testified, "It's a step in the right direction to allow businesses to have training dollars directed towards specific business needs."
 

Link to testimony on TVW.
 

Financial aid counseling for higher ed students

On Thursday, the House Higher Education Committee held a panel on financial aid counseling at higher education institutions.
 

Sherri Ballantyne, Bellevue College assistant dean of financial aid and veterans, and Carla Idohl-Corwin, South Puget Sound Community College, dean of student financial services, spoke on behalf of the CTCs.
 

Idohl-Corwin described three levels of financial aid counseling generally available:

Ÿ Up front – out in the community, high schools, parent groups, events.
Ÿ Loan entrance and exit counseling, financial aid counseling.
Ÿ Financial literacy – in-person, hands-on, offered through online modules or purchased services.
 

"Financial literacy can include something as simple as how to open a bank account, ranging to debt management," said Idohl-Corwin. "Many of our students don't have bank accounts."
 

She described how some colleges can offer a holistic approach to counseling, including wrap-around services, educational counseling, and career planning; usually for certain student populations in programs with targeted funds.
 

Ballantyne described some of the barriers students face in completing their education, "A lot of our students have life crises. Students struggle to stay in school with multiple issues, including unemployment, homelessness, illness, domestic abuse, elder care and child care issues, and transportation."
 

Veterans face an additional challenge since they no longer receive "break pay" – which means they are not paid during summer quarter or during quarter breaks. They are paid in arrears and start the quarter with no funds to pay for books.
 

She said the colleges also run out of funds, such as the State Need Grant.
 

Idohl-Corwin explained students are coming to the CTCs needing more than just educational costs covered. The need help finding external resources for basic living expenses –utility bills, evictions, food, health care, and car repairs.
 

Representatives from The Evergreen State College, University of Washington, and Pacific Lutheran University financial aid departments described their services.
 

Listen to Sherri and Carla's testimony on TVW.
 

CTCs show how system responds to industry demands

A Thursday Senate Higher Education Committee hearing focused on how higher education responds to emerging industry needs. Earlier in the week, committee members heard from panels of industry leaders who identified workforce shortages and skill gaps.
 

Jim Crabbe, SBCTC director of workforce education, testified that CTCs have program advisory committees comprised of industry experts to review curriculum, equipment, and facilities. These advisory committees inform colleges what needs be changed. "We look at a lot of data. … it's very important that our programs maintain the standards of the demand-decline list to make sure programs are viable."
 

CTCs also work with their 10 Centers of Excellence (COE) to ensure curriculum is based on industry sector needs. These COEs also align with critical sectors identified by the Department of Commerce and Gov. Inslee.
 

Luke Robins, Peninsula College president, gave an overview of how program data is compiled and used through industry cluster meetings. Robins testified, "The purpose of our industry cluster meetings are to … discuss current and future workforce training needs, to gage the effectiveness of current workforce training or professional technical programs that the college offers." These meetings are also critical in identifying skill gaps, exploring partnerships among the college and local employers, and collaborate on training opportunities.
 

Rich Cummins, Columbia Basin College president, testified about the important role CTCs play in getting students living wage jobs and are "engines for social mobility." He explained how studies show that education levels directly correlate with a person's quality of life. "There's a study out of Georgetown … 67 percent of Washington's workforce needs to have some sort of education postsecondary experience...we're currently below 40 percent. That's more than a high school degree but less than four-year degree and that's the bailiwick of the community and technical college system," Cummins said.
 

Representatives from four-year institutions also testified about their role in meeting industry needs.

Link to testimony on TVW.