On Friday, President Barack Obama signed the Agriculture Act of 2014 into law. The $956.4 billion package, is better know as the Farm Bill. The five-year legislation includes funding for programs across Washington State University (WSU) campuses and extension sites, including specialty crops, biofuels and broadband infrastructure. The bill passed a final hurdle when the […]
On Thursday the Senate Trade and Economic Development Committee considered legislation that would transfer two Innovate Washington buildings located in Spokane to Washington State University. Innovate Washington was created in 2011 as the successor agency to the Washington Technology Center and the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, serving as the primary agency to grow […]
On Tuesday Senator Jim Hargrove (D-Hoquiam) led the Senate in celebrating the career of Dr. R. James Cook, former dean of the WSU College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences and emeritus professor of plant pathology and crop and soil sciences. Senate Resolution 8677 honors Dr. Cook for his “long and distinguished career at […]
The House Higher Education Committee today moved House Bill 2613 out of committee with a do pass recommendation. A priority bill for WSU, HB 2613 would improve business practices to improve efficiency, primarily through streamlined reporting requirements and reducing inflationary costs on some construction projects. You can view our previous coverage of the bill here. The […]
It has been an exciting week for Washington State University (WSU) here in Washington DC. The week started in anticipation for President Obama’s State of the Union Address. On Tuesday, in the first moments of his speech the President spoke of farm exports, rural physicians and manufacturing. A few minutes later, he highlighted the need […]
WSU Office of the President: President’s Perspectives Washington State University’s engagement in Everett is about to become a lot more visible, after more than two years of collaboration with regional higher education leaders and state lawmakers. The Legislature in 2011 authorized the transfer of the University Center of North Puget Sound to WSU after years […]
The Senate Agriculture, Water & Rural Economic Development Committee considered two pieces of legislation Thursday that would involve Washington State University in studying the viability of industrial hemp production. Senate Bill 5954 and Senate Bill 6214 both authorize WSU to study industrial hemp production, though just SB 5954 would direct the university to actually grow […]
Today regents and trustees from Washington’s public baccalaureate institutions traveled to Olympia to discuss higher education issues and policies with lawmakers. WSU Board of Regents members Mike Worthy, Ted Baseler, and Connie Niva, along with WSU Foundation Board of Trustees member Mikal Thomsen have a full day of meetings with legislators, discussing the need to […]
The Tacoma News Tribune published an editorial Thursday calling on lawmakers to continue the support for higher education they began last session by not cutting the state’s institutions further and freezing tuition rates for students and their families. The News Tribune highlighted the direct impact support for higher education has in bolstering Washington’s economy. Reporting […]
Two priority bills to enhance efficiency at our state’s universities and bolster instruction in enology and viticulture programs have been introduced in the Legislature. House Bill 2613 sponsored by Rep. Mia Gregerson (D-South King County) and Senate Bill 6362 sponsored by Sen. Barbara Bailey, an Oak Harbor Republican and chair of the Senate Higher Education […]