Monthly Archives: February 2010

Policy Committees Return to Work

Posted on by

House and Senate policy committees returned to their committee work with a vengeance today. 

Several bills of interest to Evergreen were heard by legislative committees. None of the bills listed below were moved out of committee today.

Washington House

The House Education Committee held public hearings on several bills related to improving basic education in Washington. In particular, the Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6696. Senate Bill 6696 comprises several policy changes to K-12 to make Washington more competitive for Race to the Top dollars, including policies and structural changes in the areas of school and teacher evaluation, assessment, and preparation.

The House Higher Education Committee held public hearings on two bills of interest to Evergreen. Senate Bill 6355, a.ka. the system design bill,  implements the recommendations put forth by the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (HECB) System Design Plan work during the interim.  The bill identifies a process for expanding the higher education system upon proven demand and for reaching the goals in the HECB’s Master Plan.

The Committee also heard Senate Bill 6357. SB 6357 requires The College Board in consultation with the four-year sector, workforce training and education board, private career schools, business, and labor to develop policies for awarding academic credit for learning from work and military experience, military and law enforcement training, career college training, internships and externships, and apprenticeships.

In the afternoon the House Ways & Means Committee held a public hearing on House Bill 3178. HB 3178 makes several policy changes that impact the Department of Information Services as well as state agency IT services and programs. In particular, the bill:

  • Grants the Department of Information Services (DIS) authority over personal computer (PC) purchase and replacement, including development of a PC replacement policy for the state.
  • Requires state agencies purchasing cellular or mobile phone service to purchase it through the state Master Contract, unless a waiver is granted by the Office of Financial Management.
  • Requires state agencies and the Information Services Board to develop policies regarding data storage and retention.
  • Restricts information technology (IT) spending by state agencies for the 2009-11 biennium.

The Council of Presidents is working with the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Carlyle, and leadership in the House to exempt higher education from the bill.

Later in the day, the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee held a public hearing on three bills Evergreen has tracked. House Bill 2858, intitiated by the four-year, public institutions, provides institutions of higher education the authority to participate in group purchasing agreements.House Bill 2973  includes, in the definition of “resident student,” a student who resides in Washington and is on active military duty stationed in one of nine Oregon border counties. In addition, the bill adds a student who resides in Washington and is the spouse or dependent of a person who resides in Washington and is on active military duty stationed in an Oregon border county to the definition of “resident student.”

Finally, House Bill 2638 provides a specialized-format version of instructional material may not require that the student return the specialized-format version.

Governor Proposes $605 Million in New Revenues

Posted on by

This afternoon Governor Gregorie, in a letter to members of the Washington Legislature, asked policymakers to close tax loopholes and raise “sin” taxes to generate $605 million in additional state revenues for the current biennium.

Gregoire’s plan reaches the $605 million mark by increasing taxes on products including refined oil, bottled-water, carbonated beverages, cigarettes, candy and gum.

The largest of the increases applies to toxic and hazardous materials which would triple the current toxics tax from 0.7 percent to 2 percent, raising $148 million for general fund programs in the next year and $67 million for city and county storm-water projects around the state. In addition, the following increases were also proposed:

  •  A bottled water tax levied at 1 cent per ounce at wholesale, raising $134.7 million in the next year.
  • A carbonated beverages tax levied at 5 cents per 12 ounces that raises $93.6 million in the first year.
  • A$1 per pack in cigarette taxes, raising the state levy to $3.025 per pack and raising $88.8 million in revenue in the first year.
  • A sales tax on candy and gum would raise $28 million.

In addition to raising taxes on specific products, Gregoire supports moves to close tax loopholes. Specifically, she cited closing tax loopholes that favor out-of-state businesses, raising $73 million; eliminating a business tax break for gold bullion dealers; and repeal ing a tax credit for syrup taxes.

Bills Must Move by 5:00 p.m.

Posted on by

Today at 5:00 p.m.  the third cut-off of the 2010 session will come to fruition. By end of day today the Senate and House must have moved bills from their chamber of origin to the opposite chamber for consideration.

The Senate and the House have been on the floor since February 10 moving bills forward through the process. Between 25-30% of the bills Evergreen has tracked this session remain active and have moved onto the next step in the process.  Many of these bills have been the focus on the blogs leading up to today.

So what is next. Tomorrow policy committees in both the House and Senate charge full steam ahead on moving bills from the opposite chamber to either the floor or an appropriations committee.  Legislative policy committees will have one week to hold public hearings and executive sessions on the bills referred to their committees.

At the same time those of us on The Hill await the presentation of Governor Gregoires’ proposed plan for revenue.  Word on the street is that Gregoire will release a series of tax proposals to buy back approximately $800 million in state programs and services sometime this week.

In addition, the House and Senate are expected to release their proposed 2010 supplemental budgets soon. Rumor has it the proposed budgets could be released as early as Thursday and as late as Monday.

Senate Passes Tuition Policy Bill

Posted on by

Only an hour before midnight, the Senate passed Senate Bill 6562 – a.k.a. the tuition policy bill – with a vote of 29-19.

The debate on the floor with regard to SB 6562 did not cut along Democratic and Republican lines but along much more subtle differences in principles and policies with regard to the future of higher education in Washington.

Senator Kilmer, sponsor of the bill, shared the thoughts of many of the Senators who supported the bill with regard to quality and affordability.  Kilmer stated that the bill provides greater predictability for institutions and students by setting tuition limits in the future, accountability for the state and Washingtonians through the requirement of institutional performance agreements, and affordability by off-setting the tuition increases permitted through additional commitments to financial aid for low- and middle-income students.

Senator Schoesler spoke in opposition of the bill arguing that the accountability provided in the bill is not enough to ensure affordability, predictability, and accountability within higher education. Schoesler, who summed up many of the same concerns others who opposed the bill shared, argued that the best policy and the best financial aid program is low-tuition which allows for a wider door to be open to a post-secondary education for Washingtonians.

Senators spoke to the bill citing concerns with regard to the potential impact on student mix and the missions’ of Washington’s institutions of higher learning. Others expressed frustration that the emergence of this bill comes because the state has not kept its commitment to higher education through strong funding. Finally, Senators across both aisles gave props to the efforts of students this afternoon and this session to be heard with regard to tuition policy.

Two amendments were proposed on the floor. The first amendment, which passed, was a technical amendment that clarified the inclusion of graduate students as only “resident” graduate students.

The second amendment sponsored by Sen. Pflug, which failed, would have made tuition setting authority and waivers contingent upon full funding of the state work study program.

Senate Bill 6562 now goes to the House for further consideration.

February 15 Rallies Present Opposing Views

Posted on by
Reply

Today dueling interests made appearances at the state capitol to advocate for revenue reform. At 10:00 the TEA (Taxed Enough Already) Party contingency rallied against any new tax increases, citing corruption, greed and Federal bailouts as the culprits of the financial fallout of the last three years while demanding that the citizens of Washington state not be taxed further. Petitions for Tim Eyeman’s newest initiative – to address the recent legislative overturning of Initiative 960 – circulated among the crowd. At noon, as many as three times as many protesters rallied under the banner of YES! To Revenue cited corruption, greed and Federal bailouts while demanding that new revenue be generated to save vulnerable social programs. A diverse group of students, state employees, union advocates and radical groups collected on the capitol steps mere hours after the TEA Party to advocate for, among other things, a state income tax.

Both groups had legislative supporters, with Seattle Senator Ed Murray, Democratic caucus chair, asking the estimated 6,000 gathered at noon to “support revenue in November” when potential tax increase proposals would make their way to voters, or when Democrat supporters of tax increases may be up for re-election.

Legislature Moves Bills as Deadline Looms and Governor Signs Cost Savings Bills into Law

Posted on by

Today Governor Gregoire signed three bills  intended to provide costs savings into law – House Bill 2998, House Bill 2921, and Senate Bill 6382 and the Senate and the House continued their long hours on the floor.

The bills signed by the Governor seek additional state savings by suspending state employee monetary performance-based awards through June 30, 2011; modifying appropriations for 2009-11 (does not impact Evergreen) by reducing approprations by $45.4 million; and continuing the freeze on salary and wage increases for exempt and Washington Management Service (WMS) employees of state agencies and institutions of higher learning is extended through June 30, 2011.

The House and Senate moved more bills forward in the legislative process ranging from greener cleaning products in state facilities to state information systems.

House Bill 2818 requires state agencies to purchase and use cleaning products having properties that minimize potential impacts to human health and the environment. HB 2818 passed with a vote of 73-25. Evergreen supports this bill which carries forth the sustainable practices in place at the College to other state agencies. 

Senate Bill 6579 creates the Information Systems Improvement Committee to develop recommendations for improving information technology and systems across state and local governments, and develop an action plan to build consensus and support for the recommendations. A report of the Committee’s work is due September 2011. Sb 6579 passed with a vote of 48-0.

Finally, two bills were introduced – HB 3185 and SB 6857 – and referred to their respective higher education policy committees.  The bills do away with the Higher Education Coordinating Board and transfer the current work of the HECB to the newly created  Student Financial Assistance Board, Office of Financial Management, and Workforce Education & Training Board.  The bills are companion bills, which means they are the exact same bill introduced in each chamber.

Legislature Works the Weekend

Posted on by

The House and the Senate were focused on moving legislation to the opposite chamber this weekend. Though both chambers only met on Saturday, both moved several pieces of legislation and spent long hours on the floor and in caucus.

Here are some of the highlights from the weekend.

The House took action on bills ranging from teacher preparation to changes to the state loan program. House Bill 2930 passed with a vote of 98-0.  HB 2930 directs the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) to give priority in selecting Future Teachers scholarship recipients to those individuals who are seeking specialty endorsements in math as well as individuals who are uniquely qualified to help schools address the achievement gap. Evergreen supported HB 2930 and encouraged, through testimony, the Legislature to consider extending eligibility to individuals seeking endorsements in special education and English Language Learners (ELL). HB 2930 will have a public hearing before the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development Committee on February 19.

House Bill 2481 passed by a vote of 92-0.  HB 2481 allows the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to become a viable partner in the area of biomass.  In particular the bill:

  • Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to maintain a list of all potential sources of forest biomass on state lands for the purposes of identifying and making forest biomass available for the conversion into energy, biofuels, or any other similar use.
  • Permits the DNR to enter into contracts for the purpose of providing a supply of forest biomass from lands managed by the DNR.
  • Authorizes the DNR to lease state lands for the conversion of biomass into energy or biofuels, for the development of a biorefinery, or for any other use derived from biomass.
  • Authorizes the DNR to establish a five-year forest health and fuel reduction supply agreement demonstration project.

House Bill 2481, which Evergreen supports, would position DNR to be a potential partner with Evergreen in our effort to realize our Biomass Gasification Project.

The House took the next step towards implementing the state loan program for students. House Bill 2854 establishes student eligibility requirements for the state Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) which was created in statute during the 2009 session.  Evergreen testified in support of the bill mirroring the testimony of the sponsor of the bill, Rep. Kenney, which supports first funding financial aid state grants and then providing for a low interest loan option for those students that borrow.

On Saturday, the House Finance Committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 6130. Senate Bill 6130 temporarily suspends tax-limiting Initiative 960 in its entirety.  SB 6130 is the current vehicle for SB 6843 which passed out of the Senate in a close vote late last week.

The movement of the bill indicates the Legislature’s leanings towards raising revenue in the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium. 

Senate Bill 6130 now heads to the House floor for further consideration.

Latest at the Legislature February 12

Posted on by

The Senate and the House spent another long day on the floor. As I am writing this blog, both Chambers continue to caucus and prepare for a long night.

Here are some highlights since yesterday.

The House took action on a teacher education bill today. House Bill 3068 passed with a vote of 95-0. HB 3068, which Evergreen supports, allows individuals who participated in one of the Recruiting Washington Teachers programs for high school students to participate in the Pipeline for Paraeducators conditional scholarship program.

The Senate took action on three bills that Evergreen has tracked and weighed-in this session. Senate Bill 5041 encourages state agencies and institutions of higher education to increase contracts with veteran-owned businesses. Evergreen worked with the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Kilmer, during the interim to revise the original language of the bill. Evergreen strongly supports SB 5041 which passed with a strong vote of 48-0.

Senate Bill 6355, a.ka. the system design bill, passed the Senate 47-0. SB 6355 implements the recommendations put forth by the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s (HECB) System Design Plan work during the interim. Evergreen was represented in this work by Don Bantz, Provost.  The bill identifies a process for expanding the higher education system upon proven demand and for reaching the goals in the HECB’s Master Plan.

Evergreen also supported the passage of Senate Bill 6357. SB 6357 requires The College Board in consultation with the four-year sector, workforce training and education board, private career schools, business, and labor to develop policies for awarding academic credit for learning from work and military experience, military and law enforcement training, career college training, internships and externships, and apprenticeships. The policies must address, but are not limited to, issues regarding verification, accreditation, transfer of academic credit, licensing and professional recognition, and financial aid.

Finally, Governor Gregoire is expected to take action on three bills that are intended to provide costs savings on Monday, February 15 – House Bill 2998, House Bill 2921, and Senate Bill 6382.

The bills, part of an agreed upon package by both the House and Senate, seek additional state savings by suspending state employee monetary performance-based awards through June 30, 2011; modifying appropriations for 2009-11 (does not impact Evergreen) by reducing approprations by $45.4 million; and continuing the freeze on salary and wage increases for exempt and Washington Management Service (WMS) employees of state agencies and institutions of higher learning is extended through June 30, 2011.

Legislature Week 6: What is Happening

Posted on by

The sixth week of the 2010 supplemental session will likely be the most chaotic of the session.

The beginning of the week continues the Legislature’s focus on the floor as the cut-off for moving bills from their chamber of origin to the other chamber nears (February 16).

Overlapping slightly will be a resurgence of policy committee meetings as policymakers consider bills from the opposite chamber and prepare for the next deadline. All policy committees must move policy bills to either the floor or an appropriation committee by February 23. 

The focus of the higher education policy committees (i.e. House Higher Education and Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development) will be to move several bills impacting Washington’s institutions of higher education out of committee and either to the floor for consideration or to an appropriation committee.

In addition, the appropriations committees (i.e. Senate Ways & Means and House Ways & Means) will meet to continue their work on budget related matters.

Finally it is expected that both the House and Senate will release their proposed budgets sometime next week.

Evergreen testifies before House Commerce and Labor Committee

Posted on by

This morning, The Evergreen State College along with colleagues from the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Central Washington University provided the House Commerce & Labor Committee with an update regarding implementation of House Bill 5873.

House Bill 5873 passed last session, requires public work contracts awarded by state four-year institutions of higher education include apprentice utilization provisions. The apprentice utilization requirements are phased in over a three-year period.

Paul Smith, Director of Facilities for Evergreen, shared with the Committee that Evergreen expects to have its first $3 million contract (threshold for the phasing in of apprentice utilization) in May-June of this year. The College set a voluntary goals with the contractor for the Campus Activities Building (CAB) of 10% apprentice utilization. To date the contract has reached 8% apprentice utilization but expects this percentage to rise to 10-12% by the end of the contract. In addition, Evergreen is reworking its contract forms and processes to ensure that the College is meeting the goals set out in the bill as future projects begin.

Colleagues from the other four-year institutions shared similar updates. In addition, updates regarding the implementation of SB 5873 were provided by the Department of Transportation and K-12.

Labor & Industries and General Administration opened the work session with context and background of apprentic utilization since the passage of the bill.