Budget was the key word today at the Legislature. The House Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing on the Governor’s proposed 2010 supplemental budget. The House Education Appropriations Committee held a work session on the same issue. Finally, House Capital Budget held a public hearing on a jobs creation bill that would benefit education in Washington.

Governor Gregoire addressed the House Ways & Means Committee this afternoon. She shared the challenges posed in her all-cuts budget and hopes she has for restoration of some programs and services through additional state and federal revenues.

The Council of Presidents and representatives from each of the four-year public baccalaureate institutions testified before the House Committee. Evergreen focused testimony on the impact of the reductions to date and the impact of additional cuts on students, faculty, and the institution proposed in the Governor’s 2010 supplemental budget. Evergreen emphasized the impact of the proposed reductions and eliminations of state financial aid programs on Greeners.

On the capital front, The Evergreen State College provided testimony in support of House Bill 2561. Senate Bill 2561 would allow the State Finance Committee to issue $861 million in general obligation bonds, to be known as Jobs Act Bonds, for the purpose of creating jobs by constructing capital improvements that lead to energy-related cost savings in public schools, state colleges and universities, and other public facilities. House Bill 2561 establishes a competitive grant process for public schools and higher education institutions to attain the funds bonded in the bill.

Evergreen supports House Bill 2561 because of its focus on sustainable energy projects and education. In addition, HB 2561 provides the opportunity for Evergreen to discuss with legislators the value of investing in sustainability focused projects and programs, such as Evergreen’s Biomass Gasification Project.

Finally, The Evergreen State College attended a work session of the House Education Appropriations Committe focused on the impact to education of the Governor’s proposed 2010 supplemental budget.