A new forecast of future tax collections has added $79 million in anticipated state revenues for the current two-year budget cycle and another $80 million for the one that begins July 1. That’s a small bump for a state budget that is expected to near $42 billion.

You can read the forecast here and find the press release from the Office of Financial Management here.

That provides a critical piece of information as legislative negotiators work to craft a compromise operating budget to send to the governor. Budgets proposed by the governor, House and Senate all provide $10 million to fund 60 first ... » More ...

The term “branch” has been officially removed as a descriptor for WSU campuses historically known as branch campuses.

Gov. Jay Inslee signed HB 1107 into law during a bill signing ceremony this afternoon. The bill removes the term “branch” from applicable state laws. It does not change governance or make any other changes.

WSU has supported this bill throughout this year’s legislative session, testifying in support before the Senate on March 16th and before the House back in January.

The ... » More ...

Leaders in the House of Representatives released their capital budget proposal Wednesday, funding one of two construction requests forwarded by WSU for the Pullman campus.

The plan fully funds WSU’s $38.1 million request to build the first stage of the Global Animal Health Phase II project — the new home of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. But it does not fund WSU’s $58.9 million request to construct the Plant Sciences Building.

Both projects remain in play going into negotiations on a final budget. The Senate plan provides $52 million for Plant Sciences and $23 million to get started on Global Animal Health Phase ... » More ...

The Senate Ways and Means Committee voted out a proposed capital budget Wednesday that includes funding for two WSU building projects critical to the future of Washington agriculture.

The plan funds $52 million of WSU’s $58.9 million request for the Plant Sciences Building and $23 million to start construction of the Global Animal Health Phase II project, both in Pullman. This despite unexpected constraints on the capital budget due to late breaking requirements for K-12 construction.

The Senate capital budget proposal also provides $3 million for design of the WSU Tri-Cities Academic Building and $500,000 for predesign of the Vancouver Life Sciences Building. It also ... » More ...

Chris Mulick, WSU director of state relations, testified support on behalf of the university Monday evening for the House’s proposed operating budget, released earlier in the day on Monday.

“We’re here first and foremost to express our appreciation for the funding in this budget to support the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. In very little time, the school has gained accreditation, kicked off private fundraising efforts, recruited an applicant pool of over 700 [prospective medical students] and signed up 20 clinical partners across the state with more on the way,” Mulick said. Watch his full testimony below.