Lawmakers returned to Olympia yesterday, taking their seats in the state Legislature to convene the 2024 session. Among the top challenges facing legislators in the 60-day session are housing affordability, the environment, behavioral health and public safety.
Adopting supplemental budgets for the 2023-25 biennium are also among the tasks facing legislators. The state’s revenues available to spend are expected to grow marginally, according to the revenue forecast from November. Budget leaders in the Legislature have noted the modest funds available to spend in their supplemental budgets. An updated revenue forecast is expected to be released on February 14th, after which budget leaders will begin to negotiate their proposals.
The first legislative deadline is on January 31st when most bills need to be given a hearing and voted out of their policy committee in order to remain viable.
WSU has requested funds in the supplemental operating budget to implement terms of a collective bargaining agreement — should one be reached — with academic student employees. Additionally, the university is seeking $19 million in Climate Commitment Act funds to meet compliance obligations under the Act. WSU has also requested $2 million to establish a supply chain management major at the Vancouver and Everett campuses.
You can find WSU’s legislative agenda here.