legislature

March 5, 2022

50 years of equal rights

In 1972, Washington became one of the earlier states to ratify a gender equity amendment.

December 4, 2021

All in alignment

The impact of the University of Washington was never more clearly on display than when the Legislature turned to it to tackle the state’s mental health crisis.

March 1, 2019

Gaveling man

House Speaker Frank Chopp has spent his life helping underserved members of the Evergreen State.

December 1, 2018

President's letter

Public education requires public support—help us sound the alarm.

June 15, 2017

A champion for higher ed

Rep. Helen Sommers protected funding and expanded opportunities.

June 7, 2017

A youthful voice

At 26, State Rep. Melanie Stambaugh is the youngest member of the Washington Legislature.

March 1, 2011

Husky pride

One of the most disappointing aspects of the terrible state budget cuts isn’t just that the University of Washington will take a big hit. It’s how easily the state Legislature aimed its budget-cutting ax at the University.

June 1, 2009

Feeling the heat

A study commissioned by the state Legislature is the most comprehensive look yet at how climate change is likely to affect the state.

Bitter budget

For the first time in its history, the UW will be getting more money from tuition than from the state of Washington.

March 1, 2009

UW feels the crunch

Gov. Chris Gregoire, '69, '71, warned that her 2009-11 state budget would contain "something ... for everybody not to like," and the University of Washington proved to be no exception.

June 1, 2008

Projects delayed

The Washington Legislature postponed decisions on two major UW projects at the close of its 2008 session, but it did enhance the UW’s operating and capital budgets, adding modest amounts to each.

March 1, 2008

UW looking north

As the Washington State Legislature works its way toward a March 12 adjournment, the UW is waiting for decisions on two major issues: the fate of public financing for Husky Stadium and the location of a new UW North Sound campus.

Progress on stadium

State lawmakers are considering a plan to help finance the renovation of Husky Stadium by tapping funds currently used to pay for professional stadiums in King County. A decision is expected before they adjourn March 12.

June 1, 2007

Closing the gap

In what could be a turning point in the recent history of state support for higher education, the Legislature passed an operating budget on April 22 that gives the UW its biggest financial boost in nearly two decades.

March 1, 2007

Budget boost

March is a crucial month in Olympia, as the Legislature looks at a new revenue forecast on the 15th and then the House of Representatives releases its two-year budget plan about a week later.

December 1, 2006

Minding the gap

There’s a huge difference between state funding for the UW and what our competition is getting, says President Mark Emmert, but he has a plan to help the Huskies keep up with the pack.

June 1, 2006

State invests in UW

State lawmakers approved an additional $18.1 million in new funding for the University of Washington.

March 1, 2006

Waiting on budget help

Even though the state government is sitting on a $1.5 billion surplus as it nears the end of the 2006 legislative session, alumni should not expect significant new dollars for higher education this year.

June 1, 2005

State support grows

For the first time in the new century, the University of Washington is in better shape coming out of a legislative budget session than it was going in.

March 1, 2005

Growing pains

The state needs 33,000 more spaces for college students by 2009. To help solve the problem, the UW must transform its campuses in Tacoma and Bothell.

Budget hopes high

Lawmakers and higher education officials are watching for two important milestones as the state Legislature meets in Olympia for its 2005 session — the latest review forecast, due March 17, and the new budget proposal from Gov. Christine Gregoire, ’69, ’71, due shortly afterwards.

June 1, 2004

Boost from Olympia

Hailing the recent legislative session as “remarkably successful,” UW President Lee Huntsman told the regents March 19 that the UW saw progress on several budget issues.

March 1, 2004

Hot-button issues

To the surprise of many longtime Olympia observers, higher education has been a hot topic during the 2004 legislative session. As lawmakers work toward a March 11 adjournment, they are debating bills on new enrollments, performance contracts and other issues.

September 1, 2003

State funding drops

Faced with a $2.65 billion deficit in its 2003-05 budget, the state Legislature passed a plan in June that includes a $47 million cut for the UW, no new enrollments and a 7 percent hike for in-state undergraduate tuition.

June 1, 2003

Gift and grumbling

When the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it was giving a record $70 million to the University of Washington to further genetic research, everyone on the campus was ecstatic. But on the second floor of Gerberding Hall there was one senior official who felt that his job just got a little harder.

Budget cuts coming

The UW can expect a cut in the amount of money coming from the state to support its teaching mission, but as Columns went to press in mid-May, the exact amount was still undecided.

March 1, 2003

Dire budget forecast

March may be the cruelest month of all in the state budget process, warn UW officials as they prepare for new proposals likely to contain dramatic cuts.

Our crumbling campus

They may look good from the outside, but many campus buildings are slowly crumbling away. Will the state rescue its most valuable piece of property?

December 1, 2002

Funding battle

As the state of Washington faces a $2 billion revenue shortfall, a battle is looming over support for higher education.

September 1, 2002

Paying the price

With state support dropping, the UW is looking for a way out of the financial maze, but could these new pathways alter the character of the university?

June 1, 2002

'Painful' cuts coming

Facing a $24.6 million loss of state revenue, the University of Washington regents voted May 17 to raise undergraduate tuition by 16 percent and impose a budget cut across academic and administrative units of about 2.5 percent.

March 1, 2002

Tuition change

The University of Washington could face an $18 million cut in state funding for 2002-03, but part of the damage might be offset by rising tuition, especially if the Board of Regents is allowed to set rates for all students.

September 1, 2001

Budget deficit

The University of Washington is facing a “significant budget deficit” of $25 million, says its chief budget officer, despite raising tuition to its maximum level for undergraduates.

March 1, 2001

Tough budget

Lawmakers are writing a 2001-03 budget that could severely impact enrollment, tuition, faculty salaries and other issues crucial to the University of Washington.

December 1, 2000

Budget crossroads

Since the core funding for the UW comes from the state, decisions made in Olympia will have a long-lasting impact.

June 1, 1999

Salary boost

The University of Washington may find fewer professors leaving for higher paid positions elsewhere as a result of a new state budget passed April 25.

March 1, 1999

Tuition on the rise

Undergraduate tuition could rise from 10 to 24 percent in the next two years under several proposals currently under debate in the Washington State Legislature.

December 1, 1998

Brain drain

Some top UW professors are leaving, and more will follow if nothing is done about the faculty pay gap.

June 1, 1998

Less room for students

While higher education saw some advances in the last legislative session, UW officials also saw signs that access to a college education may be shrinking.

March 1, 1998

Endowment plan

The Washington State Legislature is currently considering a proposal to establish a $500 million public-private partnership to enhance the quality of higher education in Washington.

December 1, 1997

Seeing red

Fifty years ago, a hearing on “un-American” activities tore the UW campus apart, setting a precedent for faculty firings across academe.

Passing grades

Despite the economic boom of the late 1990s, higher education is under the microscope. Business leaders, legislators and some educators feel our colleges and universities are just not efficient.

June 1, 1997

Tuition, faculty salaries to rise under state budget

The new two-year state budget has UW officials cautious about the future of the University.

March 1, 1997

Spending limits put squeeze on UW budget plans in Olympia

In past sessions the Legislature often had less money than it wanted to spend, but this session it has more money than it can spend, due to the Initiative 601 spending limit.

December 1, 1996

Accountability, access, quality are top issues for UW, Legislature

The UW goes to the 1997 Legislature with an $814 million budget request, about $75 million over current levels.

June 1, 1996

UW to see higher enrollments, better technology, thanks to state budget

Students will graduate faster and citizens will have more degree options, thanks to the 1996 legislative session which ended March 7.

December 1, 1995

UW seeks matching funds from lawmakers

A $30 million plan that leverages state funds with private support and tuition would boost access to the UW, expand instructional technology and help retain faculty.

June 1, 1995

Budget stalls

As Columns went to press, the Washington State Legislature remained deadlocked on a state budget for 1995-97.

March 1, 1995

Tuition may rise

The University of Washington and other state universities may have the power to set some tuition rates if the Washington State Legislature follows Gov. Mike Lowry's recommendations.

Chopping block

The UW must consider closing the School of Communications and the applied math, Slavic languages and literature, and speech communication departments, President Gerberding announced.

December 1, 1994

What if they sold the ‘U’?

Imagine the state without its flagship university. Like a bad dream, it's a scenario with symbolic value.

June 1, 1994

UW spared cuts

Lawmakers spared the University of Washington from budget cuts in the session that concluded in March 1994.

March 1, 1994

Budget worries

UW officials are concerned about long-term trends coming out of Olympia following the passage of Initiative 601.

December 1, 1993

I-601 uncertainty

UW officials are worried that, with the passage of Initiative 601, higher education may be a target when lawmakers look for cuts to balance future state budgets.

Over a barrel

Just as our sister West Coast states have seen their higher education systems suffer under tax-limit initiatives, it may be Washington state's turn.

September 1, 1993

I-602 looms large

Initiative 602's projected effects are outlined below in an article prepared by the UW Office of University Relations.

June 1, 1993

UW deals with cuts

The University of Washington must absorb a $32-million shortfall in state funding following the passage of the 1993-95 state operating budget.

March 1, 1993

Slash or invest?

The fate of budget cuts, tuition increases, instructional improvements and salary hikes rests with the state of Washington's revenue forecast.

December 1, 1992

Funding increase sought

When the legislature meets next month, UW officials will ask Olympia for enough funds to keep the University's motor running.

June 1, 1992

Budget outlook

The Washington State Legislature adjourned with a budget that left officials "very, very pleased," says Bob Edie, the UW director of government relations.

September 1, 1991

Budget buoys UW

The University of Washington will be more competitive and more accessible, thanks to an 11.6 percent increase in its state funding.

June 1, 1991

Budget outlook good

UW officials are generally pleased over the shape of the 1991-93 state budget.

March 1, 1991

Budget cuts loom

UW officials are anxiously waiting for the March 19 state revenue forecast, as the Washington State Legislature begins to write its budget for the UW and all state agencies.

December 1, 1990

UW seeks funding hike

The UW asked for $806.7 million in state funds for its 1991-93 budget.

June 1, 1990

Olympia chips in

The Legislature agreed to fund a new evening degree program at the UW, but at a level set at half of what the UW requested.

December 1, 1989

Capitol gains

A small staff shepherds the UW's budget through the legislative process.