Today Governor Gregoire released to legislative leadership a series of proposals to solve the current fiscal year’s deficit of $1.14 billion. 

The proposals include across-the-boards cuts already imposed but does not include the recent decision to reopen collective bargaining agreements.

The proposals listed include the estimated savings, effective date of the change needed to secure the savings, notice requirements to meet the effective date and whether legislative action is needed

Among the proposals are the across-the-board cuts taken by institutions of higher education, including Evergreen’s reduction of $800,000. The reduction does not reflect the full 6.3% initially required but is closer to 4.5% to reflect the federal maintenance effort requirement.

In addition, the proposal includes other higher education related measures including:

• Delaying State Need Grant funding to FY2012 
• Requirement to make whole shortfalls in the Opportunity Pathways Account and Education Legacy Account

Many of the proposals would require legislative action by Dec. 12, but it’s not clear yet if the governor will call a special session. The Governor wants to make sure legislative leaders agree on a solution before deciding whether to call lawmakers back.

She has given lawmakers until Monday to submit their own budget ideas.