Today is the first day of the Washington State Legislature’s 2020 session.  During the “short,” 60-day session, legislators will adopt supplemental operating, capital and transportation budgets with modifications to the 2019-21 biennial budgets that were adopted during the 2019 session.  Legislators will also be tasked with considering thousands of bills with proposed changes to state law.

Western’s top supplemental budget priority is to increase access and improve the success of current and future students attending Western on the Peninsulas— WWU’s locations on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.  Under WWU’s proposal, WWU would transition all degree programs from tuition-funded, also known as self-supported, to state-funded to reduce the tuition rate for a student attending Western on the Peninsulas by more than $12,000 over two years. This request would also enable WWU to improve four-year degree pathways for the residents of the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas through targeted recruitment and student support strategies.

WWU’s top policy priority is the passage of HB 1755—legislation that would authorize WWU to offer applied doctorate degrees in education (Ed.Ds).  The bill would provide the same authorization to Eastern Washington University and Central Washington University.  Click here to read more about the importance of passing HB 1755.

As always, don’t hesitate to contact WWU’s Government Relations team if you have any questions!