Cap Removed from Resident Undergraduate Tuition

The Washington House of Representatives passed HB 2344 by a vote of 50 to 47.

The bill provides for:

1. the Legislature to increase resident undergraduate tuition at any rate above the statutory 7 percent cap for 2009-10 and 2010-11,
2. institutions of higher education to notify students of the American Opportunity Tax Credit, and
3. the Higher Education Coordinating Board to convene a group of stakeholders to examine tuition policy.

The bill was amended on the floor to require the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee (JLARC) to conduct a systemic performance audit of the University of Washington. Unfortunately, another floor amendment failed by one vote. This amendment would have reset the base tuition in 2012 to the level it would have been if tuition had only been increased 7% annually.

Please email the Governor and your Senators to encourage them to maintain accountability by keeping the audit requirement in the bill. Ask you Senators to keep the accountability of the JLARC performance audit; ask them to amend the bill to reset base tuition, per the amendment that filed in the house by one vote.

This bill will likely make it to the Senate floor tomorrow for passage and submission to the Governor before the end of session this weekend.

Email the Governor:
http://www.governor.wa.gov/contact/

Email your Senator:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx

Governor Proposes 14% Annual Tuition Increases

Please see the Seattle Times Blog for details.

What does it mean for you?

As you can see in this chart, tuition doubles in 2014. That is an additional tuition burden of $10,952 over four years for students who start at UW this fall.

House Proposed Budget Announced - Washington State Undergraduate Tuition increased by 10% - Developing News

The Chair of the Washington State House Ways and Means Committee has announced her proposed budget for the 2009-11 Biennium:

• Washington Resident undergraduate tuition authorized to 10% annual increase

House Ways and Means Chair Proposed Budget for the University of Washington (State Appropriations):

General Fund (FY 2010) . . . .$279,206,000
General Fund (FY 2011) . . . .$240,208,000
General Fund (Private/Local) . . .$450,000
General Fund (Federal) . . . . $33,975,000
Education Legacy Trust Account $54,333,000
Accident Account. . . . . . . . $6,713,000
Medical Aid Account . . . . . . $6,519,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . $621,404,000


Senate Ways and Means Chair Proposed Budget for the University of Washington (State Appropriations):

General Fund (FY 2010) . . . .$282,448,000
General Fund (FY 2011) . . . .$308,357,000
General Fund (Federal) . . . . $24,730,000
Education Legacy Trust Account $54,333,000
Accident Account . . . . . . . .$6,713,000
Medical Aid Account . . . . . . $6,519,000
Biotoxin Account . . . . . . . . .$450,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . $683,550,000


Governor's Proposed Budget for the University of Washington (State Appropriations):

General Fund (FY 2010) . . . .$344,798,000
General Fund (FY 2011) . . . .$334,079,000
Education Legacy Trust Account $54,627,000
Accident Account . . . . . . . .$6,797,000
Medical Aid Account . . . . . . $6,604,000
Biotoxin Account . . . . . . . . .$450,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . $747,355,000

Washington State Senate Operating Budget - Developing News

• Washington State resident undergraduate tuition increased to 7% annual increase cap*
• $513 million cut to State General Fund to state institutions of higher education

*"Tuition Surcharge if No Federal Aid - Without the federal fiscal assistance available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, resident undergraduate tuition would need to increase by an additional 7 percent each academic year in order to maintain the enrollment and program quality levels anticipated in this budget. (General Fund-State, Higher Education Tuition Account)" (Senate Ways and Means analysis)


Senate Budget for the University of Washington (State and Federal Appropriations):

General Fund (FY 2010) . . . .$282,448,000
General Fund (FY 2011) . . . .$308,357,000
General Fund (Federal) . . . . $24,730,000
Education Legacy Trust Account $54,333,000
Accident Account . . . . . . . .$6,713,000
Medical Aid Account . . . . . . $6,519,000
Biotoxin Account . . . . . . . . .$450,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . .$683,550,000


Governor's Proposed Budget for the University of Washington (State Appropriations):

General Fund (FY 2010) . . . .$344,798,000
General Fund (FY 2011) . . . $334,079,000
Education Legacy Trust Account $54,627,000
Accident Account . . . . . . . .$6,797,000
Medical Aid Account . . . . . . $6,604,000
Biotoxin Account . . . . . . . . .$450,000
TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . .$747,355,000

Washington State Senate Operating Budget to be released at 10:30 am

The Senate Operating Budget for the 2009-11 biennium will be released today at 10:30 am. Watch the press conference live here.

There is a $1.3 billion shortfall in the 2007-09 operating budget and a projected budget deficit of approximately $8.1 billion for the 2009-11 operating budget. Spending cuts already implemented, federal recovery funds, and the state “rainy day” fund are expected to mitigate this deficit, with approximately $3.5-4.5 billion in cuts to the 2009-11 operating budget. Further cuts and/or revenue increases will be necessary to balance the budget for the 2009-11 biennium, however.

Cuts to the University of Washington are expected to be on a significant magnitude greater than the Governor’s proposed budget.

The House Operating Budget for the 2009-11 biennium will be released tomorrow (Tuesday) at 10:00 am.