Legislature heads into double overtime, new budget proposals released

Governor Inslee called a second special session that began Friday, May 29. This second round of overtime cannot go longer than 30 days. Legislators are still negotiating a final budget that includes state employee compensation, a tuition freeze, financial aid funding, and a number of other policy items related to community and technical colleges.

Senate, House release updated budget proposals

 June 1 – House Democrats released an updated budget proposal, 2SHB 1106, and held a public hearing Tuesday, June 2 in the House Appropriations Committee. The $38.4 billion proposal relies on incoming revenue from numerous sources, but unlike the Senate, relies on new revenue from a capital gains tax. Highlights for the community and technical college system include:

·         A tuition freeze, with a modest inflation increase.

·         Cost of living increase of 3% (2016) and 1.8% (2017) for all employees; allows for funding of faculty increments using local funds in 2015-17.

·         Increased funding for the State Need Grant.

·         Expansion of the MESA Community College program in FY 2017 ($2.5M).

·         Expansion of allied health programs at Seattle Central College ($425K).

·         Expansion of aerospace and advanced manufacturing apprenticeships ($1.25M).

·         Funding for the Labor Education and Research Center at South Seattle College ($500K).

·         Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Bellevue College starting in FY 2017 ($750K).

·         Expansion of the Year-Up program at Bellevue College to include one college in Eastern Washington beginning in 2017 ($800K).

Nick Lutes, SBCTC operating budget director, testified before the committee and shared information from the community and technical college system perspective.

 “Thank you for continuing to fully fund collective bargaining agreements and the COLAs contained within those agreements,” he said. “Freezing tuition and providing a modest inflation increase in our budget helps keep college affordable for our students and also recognizes that costs continue to increase for campuses.” 

 2SHB 1106 was voted out of committee on Wednesday, June 3 and has been referred to the House Rules Committee for further action.

 Testimony begins at 1:08:50.

 May 29 — Senate Republicans released an updated budget proposal, SSB 6050 and held an executive session in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. The new $37.9 proposal also relies on incoming state revenue from a variety of sources including marijuana. Highlights for the community and technical college system include:

·         Implementation of ESSB 5954, reducing tuition by 1.8% backfilled with state funds. Tuition is expected to increase by 2.6% the second year.

·         Cost of living increase of 3% (2016) and 1.8% (2017) for all employees. Funding for COLAs is tied to passage of SB 6126.

·         Composite wing fabrication training at the WATR Center ($1.58M).

·         Feasibility study for a potential two-year college in Graham ($300K).

·         Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Bellevue College starting in FY 2017 ($750K).

·         Implementation of E2SSB 5179, concerning paraeducators, if passed by both chambers ($115K).

 SSB 6050 was voted out of committee and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee for further action.

Legislative action on computer science bill

 May 28 – During the waning hours of the first special session, legislators passed SHB 1813 that expands computer science education through new K-12 standards, a scholarship program, and better coordination between secondary and postsecondary education systems.

 Sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island, SHB 1813 aims to ultimately increase the number of computer science degrees in Washington state. This bill has been delivered to the governor for a signature.