This afternoon higher education took part in a collaborative discussion in the House Community Development and Housing Committee focused on increasing productivity, jobs, and prosperity.

Rep. Phyllis Kenney – chair of the committee –  hosted a conversation with representatives from the business, environmental, labor, and education communities, including the Council of Presidents, with the goal of identifying what actions can take place to move Washington’s economy forward using data and results-driven conversations.

The conversation focused on four major questions:

• How do Washington’s changing demographics impact how we do business (in education, workforce development, and economic development)?
• How doe we enhance public-private partnerships that generate business activity, facilitate private investment, and increase jobs?
• What are the key strategies for creating prosperity and economic recovery for all of Washington’s residents?
• Given current budget constraints, what strategies and investments of the state will lead to the highest return on investment?

The conversation was contexted by presentations from the Office of Financial Management, Employment Securities Department, and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board regarding changing demographics, employment, and education and training in Washington.

Also focused on the future was the House Higher Education Committee. This afternoon the Committee spent considerable time on Washington’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program. The GET Program allows purchasers to buy tuition units at current prices for use at a later date.

The Committee heard presentations from the Higher Education Coordinating Board,  Office of the State Actuary, and Office of the State Treasurer.

The Legislature often reviews the GET program and the policies that underscore the program. This session, however, the GET program has been incorporated into a couple of bills, placing the program under a new light. 

Senate Bill 5749 would make changes to the membership of the Committee on Advanced Tuition that oversees the program and to a handful of policies that currently structure the program. The Committee held a public hearing on SB 5749 this afternoon.

The GET program is also identified as part of House Bill 1795 which would require an actuarial analysis by the state actuary for the Guaranteed Education Tuition Program.