The supplemental budget proposal released this morning by Gov. Jay Inslee includes new funding that would allow WSU to better support the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors of the state economy.
The proposal will be considered by the Legislature, which convenes Jan. 13 to begin drafting its own rewrite of the underlying, two-year state budget.
The governor’s proposal provides $750,000 to match federal and private funding expected as part of WSU’s recent designation by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Center of Excellence for Jet Fuel and the Environment. The matching funding is the university’s top legislative priority.
It also includes $500,000 in planning funding to design a new School of Advanced Manufacturing and Aerospace at the University Center of North Puget Sound in Everett. The school would provide traditional instruction and develop applied skills in fields such as engineering, computer science, aeronautics, astronautics and materials science.
The proposal transfers $2 million from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to WSU to complete the transfer of the University Center and to fund current operations.
“We are pleased that the Governor has submitted a supplemental budget that points to the future of higher education in our state,” WSU President Elson S. Floyd said. “It includes an ongoing commitment to the STEM disciplines as well as funds to advance research in bioproducts and biofuels. Overall, the Governor’s budget reflects continued investment in higher education, for which we are grateful.”