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Legislature increases UW operating budget by 13.2 percent
The Washington State Legislature passed an operating budget of $905 million for the University of Washington—an increase of 13.2 percent—before the regular 1999 legislative session came to a close on Sunday. Legislators will return to Olympia on May 10th for a special session to complete business on transportation and other unresolved issues.
Spending a total of $20.6 billion, the 1999-2001 operating budget is about $75 million below the Initiative 601 spending limit. Legislative leadership has characterized it as an education budget and stated that “all the new investments are in two areas, K-12 and higher education.”
Budget highlights for the University of Washington:
Salary increases in the final budget will be distributed on the basis of merit for faculty, professional staff and librarians; on an across-the-board basis for WPRB classified staff; and in accordance with the terms of the contract for CSA contract-classified staff.
UW President Richard L. McCormick expressed appreciation to the Governor and the Legislature for their attention to higher education and the University of Washington at a time of difficult fiscal constraints. “This is a good budget for higher education and the UW,” said McCormick. “It is a solid financing package that combines state-funded salary increases with tuition flexibility and a recruitment and retention pool to ‘turn the corner’ on our serious salary problems.” McCormick added, “this represents an important down-payment in attracting and keeping the best faculty and staff talent at the University and it should have a favorable impact on campus morale. This budget also recognizes the important role the University plays in technology, research and economic development by providing money to support high impact research and the next generation internet.”
The budget that passed Sunday consists of the Senate budget proposal with a few minor technical changes. This year the House was scheduled to release its budget first, but when the evenly-split House reached a stalemate in budget negotiations, House Democrats and Republicans released separate budgets without passing a House budget bill, and the Senate moved ahead and released its budget. Four Republicans crossed over party lines to break the stalemate and move ahead with negotiations, and the Senate version became the vehicle for the state budget.
Enrollment levels, salary increases and ATI funding are all at higher levels in the final budget compared to Gov. Gary Locke’s budget released last fall. Following is a brief comparison of the UW’s budget request and each budget released during the regular session:
SALARIES
University Request: 4.5% annual increase
Governor’s Budget: 2.0% annual increase
House Republican Budget: 3.0% annual increase for faculty and librarians, 2.0% annual increase for professional and classified staff
House Democratic Budget: 3% per year for all state employees
Senate Budget: 3% per year for all state employees
Final Budget: 3% per year for all state employees
RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION POOL
University Request: $3.7 million
Governor’s Budget: $1.8 million
House Republican Budget: $4.2 million
House Democratic Budget: $8.5 million
Senate Budget: $4.6 million
Final Budget: $4.6 million
TUITION
University Request: $50 per quarter
Governor’s Budget: Up to 5.0% per year, set locally
House Republican Budget: 4.0% in 1999 and 3.2% in 2000 with local authority to raise or lower tuition by an additional 2.0% each year and the ability to use tuition revenue for an additional 1.0% annual salary increase for faculty, librarians and professional staff
House Democratic Budget: 4.0% in 1999 and 3.2% in 2000 with local authority to raise or lower tuition by an additional 2.0% each year, but no ability to use tuition revenue for salary increases
Senate Budget: 4.6% in 1999 and 3.6% in 2000, with no restrictions on use of tuition
Final Budget: 4.6% in 1999 and 3.6% in 2000, with no restrictions on use of tuition
ENROLLMENT
University Request: 1,600 FTEs: 900 at Seattle; 300 at Bothell; 400 at Tacoma
Governor’s Budget: 1,304 FTEs: 739 at Seattle; 241 at Bothell; 324 at Tacoma
House Republican Budget: 1,304 FTEs: 739 at Seattle; 241 at Bothell; 324 at Tacoma
House Democratic Budget: 1,304 FTEs: 739 at Seattle; 241 at Bothell; 324 at Tacoma
Senate Budget: 1,304 FTEs: 739 at Seattle; 241 at Bothell; 324 at Tacoma
Final Budget: 1,304 FTEs: 739 at Seattle; 241 at Bothell; 324 at Tacoma
Note: The Governor proposed full funding for enrollments at Bothell and Tacoma, but he proposed funding Seattle enrollments at a marginal rate. Both House budgets, the Senate budget, and the final budget proposed full enrollment funding for all three campuses.
GIGAPOP
University Request: $3.95 million
Governor’s Budget: $3.95 million
House Republican Budget: $3.95 million
House Democratic Budget: $3.95 million
Senate Budget: $3.95 million
Final Budget: $3.95 million
INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
University Request: $3.0 million
Governor’s Budget: $3.0 million
House Republican Budget: $3.0 million
House Democratic Budget: $3.0 million
Senate Budget: $1.5 million
Final Budget: $1.5 million
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
INITIATIVE
University Request: $3.0 million
Governor’s Budget: $0
House Republican Budget: $1.0 million
House Democratic Budget: $4.0 million
Senate Budget: $2.5 million
Final Budget: $2.5 million
Also passed during the regular session, the capital budget gives the UW authority to bond the new Law School and pay the debt service from local revenues. It includes $39.3 million in state funding for the Suzzallo Library renovation, $50.1 million for UW Bothell Phase 2A and, $36.4 million for UW Tacoma Phase 2A and $500,000 for UW Tacoma Phase 3 Pre-Design. The 1999-2000 capital budget did not include funding for the Life Sciences Building.
“We’re pleased with the funding for the Suzzallo Library renovation and that we can now move ahead with the Law School. We’re also appreciative of the capital appropriations and fully-funded enrollments at the Bothell and Tacoma campuses,” explained Sherry Burkey, associate vice president for University Relations and director of Government Relations, “We’re disappointed with the failure of the Legislature to provide funding for the Life Sciences Building design.”
Technology intiatives were a high priority in the budget this session. The UW operating budget included funding for the Gigapop/Next Generation Internet, Internet Connectivity and the Advanced Technology Initiative. The ATI is a joint UW/WSU proposal to develop new academic and research programs targeted toward economic development for the state. It’s been a part of our budget request for three years, and this is the first year the Legislature has funded it.
“Funding for the ATI is a recognition from the Legislature of the contributions research universities can make to the state’s economy.” said Kevin Evanto, associate director of Government Relations and Alumni Outreach. “WSU and the UW have been meeting with key legislators educating them on the proposal, but I think legislators were convinced after high-technology industry leaders testified before legislative committees on the importance of this proposal. It’s been a successful team effort with WSU and industry leaders.”
The Legislature also passed the Metropolitan Tract bill, giving the UW additional flexibility to manage its property in Downtown Seattle. The bill is on its way to the Governor for his signature. ¶
Peggy O’Boyle Fine, Government Relations