Yesterday the House of Representatives released its 2015-17 supplemental operating budget proposal, which will be followed by the Senate supplemental budget proposal in the coming days. These proposals follow the release of Governor Inslee’s proposed budget in December.
In general, the House budget proposal maintains higher education funding, including funding for Western, at levels outlined in the biennial budget approved last session. The House budget also includes new investments in financial aid programs for low-income students and for former students who are a few credits short of earning a degree.
Other noteworthy appropriations in the House proposal include $189 million to address the costs of the 2015 wildfires, $99 million to recruit and retain K-12 public school staff, $47 million to address staffing and safety issues at mental health state hospitals and $6 million for improvements to the state’s foster care system.
After the release of the House and Senate budget proposals this week, legislators of both chambers will work collaboratively to create a joint budget prior to when the legislative session is scheduled to conclude on March 10th.