President Cantwell hit the wet and at times snowy ground running in Olympia this week. She spent the last two days advocating for the University – bringing WSU’s priorities straight to state lawmakers.
Conversations with legislators again centered on the collective budget challenges facing the university and the state. The recent revenue forecast, which added $827 million to the current biennium, has helped shrink the state’s $2.3 billion deficit giving lawmakers more breathing room than Governor Ferguson had. The Governor had to develop his proposed budgets using the November revenue forecast figures. The Governor’s proposal would cut WSU’s state appropriation by $11.1 million while also dramatically increasing WSU’s self-insurance premium, relying on about $7 million in tuition revenue that does not exist to cover nearly half of the increase. Over the last four years, WSU has slashed $52 million from its annual operating budget to offset declining enrollment and shrinking state support.
During the meetings President Cantwell emphasized the university’s commitment to ensuring resources are aligned with programs that deliver the greatest impact for students and preserving student support services.
The House and Senate are slated to unveil their proposed operating and capital budgets early next week. This will trigger the final stages of budget negotiations between the chambers as they finalize a budget to advance to the Governor before adjournment on March 12th.
