As Columns went to press, the Washington State Legislature remained deadlocked on a state budget for 1995-97.
In mid-March, the House passed a $17.3 billion budget that included about $738 million in tax cuts but severely cut state agencies, including higher education. In late March, the Senate passed a $17.9 billion budget with fewer tax cuts but much more favorable to education.
The Legislature was supposed to adjourn on April 23. Instead, Gov. Mike Lowry called a special session and may have to call another.
“The two budgets are about $600 million apart,” notes UW Government Relations Director Bob Edie. The House is controlled by Republicans while the Senate is in the hands of the Democrats. “This is not just a difference of dollars, it is a difference in policy and ideology,” he adds.
Given a choice between the two budgets, UW officials favor the Senate plan. “There is about $40 million more for the University, and that difference comes from the general fund side. By committing more tax dollars, the Senate is making a significant policy statement about the value of state support for higher education,” Edie says.
That $40 million would cover salary increases and educational enhancements, such as more access to classes, more openings for popular majors and more advising. Additional money could mean that some of the decisions on programs slated for reductions or elimination might be modified.
State salaries were frozen during the last two years. The House budget offers state employees a flat raise of $100 per month. The Senate budget calls for a 5 percent salary increase.
“The Senate plan goes much further in allowing the UW to maintain nationally competitive salaries,” Edie says. “The House version would amount to only a 1.5 percent increase for faculty over a four-year period. This is simply unacceptable. It would harm our efforts to recruit and retain the best faculty and staff.”
While both plans call for about a 5 percent increase in tuition each year, there is no additional financial aid money in the House plan. However, the Senate calls for an extra $20 million to cushion the increase across all state institutions.
“The House budget increases tuition and then offsets the revenue by taking it out of the general fund side of the budget. Basically the students are paying more money for less. The Senate, on the other hand, matches the tuition increase with increases in general fund dollars,” notes Sheral Burkey, associate director of government relations.
For more information about the higher education budget, call the UWAA Legislative Support Network at (206) 543-0540 or 1-800-AUW-ALUM. To contact your legislator in Olympia, call 1-800-562-6000.