Government Relations blog

03 16 12
Update from Olympia: Special Session

The 2012 regular legislative session concluded on midnight Thursday of last week without reaching an agreement on the 2012 supplemental operating and capital budgets. The legislature has been working to address a $1.4 billion budget deficit.

The governor ordered a special session to take place starting Monday, March 12, in order to address the operating budget and capital budget proposals. The governor wants the special session to be very limited in scope, preferring that legislators not take up additional issues beyond what is necessary for budget implementation.

The governor’s budget proposal in December called for a $7 million cut for Western. Each of the subsequent budget proposals have been moving in a more...

02 13 12
Update from Olympia

The 60-day legislative session has already passed its halfway point, with many of the first major policy deadlines having been reached. This year’s session is much shorter than “budget sessions,” when the legislature sets the biennial budget. Due to a dwindling revenue projection that estimates a $1.5 billion shortfall, legislators are expected to cram a policy session and a budget session into just 60 days.

Western has an active presence in Olympia with strong, collaborative efforts among students, faculty, alumni, staff and administrators who all are continuing to be great advocates for Western. WWU President Bruce Shepard participated in a highly successful town hall hosted by the Seattle Times with all the...