Post on 30-Dec-2015
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Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
“Legislative Issues for
the State of Washington”
Chris Thompson
Director of Government and Public Relations
Independent Colleges of Washington
WFAA ConferenceOctober 27, 2011
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Preview
• Structure of the Legislature
• Procedures for enacting laws
• Current Issues
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Structure of the Institution
• Bicameral (Rules, Terms, Culture)
• Partisan (Caucuses, Adversarial)
• Committees (Delegated authority by the body)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Types of Committees
• Policy• Fiscal• Administrative• Special (bicameral, ad hoc, multi-
disciplinary, etc)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Leadership Structure
Senate•Lt. Governor, President of the Senate•Real power: separate Senate leaders
House •The Speaker
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Functions of Leadership
• Develop committee structure• Appoint committee members• Refer proposals to committees• Determine the agenda of the
chamber• Develop Party/Policy Objectives• Build unity in the caucus• Committee chair (gavel as a Fief)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Part II
Procedures for Enacting
Laws
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Early Steps
• Legislator introduces a bill• Bill referred to policy committee• Public hearing (non-partisan
analysis, public testimony)• Executive Session (caucuses,
amendments, votes)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Fiscal Committees
The Killing Fields•House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee•House Ways and Means Committee•House Transportation Committee•House Capitol Budget Committee•Senate Ways and Means Committee•Senate Transportation Committee
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Fiscal Committees
What goes there? •$50,000 impact threshold•Interest of the Chair
Special atmosphere•Public access more limited•Extremely compressed timeframes
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Rules Committee
• Approves bills to move to the floor calendar
• Two-step process• Erratic meeting schedule• No hearings, no testimony• Zenith of individualism
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Floor Action
• Calendars • Caucus• Floor action • Amendments• Roll Call Vote
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Personality Profiles (Stereotypes!)
House• Younger• More partisan• Issue-focus• Stronger urgency• “Average folks”• Longer hours• Less funding• More leadership-driven
Senate• Older• More collegial• Relationship-focus• What’s the rush?• Less so (“average
folks”)• Less rigorous schedule• More staff support• Prerogatives of the
individual Senator
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Governor
• Signs bills into law• Vetoes (partial, full)• Appoints task forces• Initiates budget development• Executive agencies• Office of Financial Management• Governor’s proposed budget
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Part III
Hot Issues
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Three Issues in Olympia
1. Economy, Revenue, Budget2. Economy, Revenue, Budget3. Economy, Revenue, Budget
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Economy
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Revenue
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40 Years of Budgets
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Strategies for Filling Budget Gaps
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Higher Ed in the Budget
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Higher Ed Losing Budget Share
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Why are cuts so deep in higher ed?
About two-thirds of the state budget is considered off-limits or at least ‘lots more difficult’ to cut•K-12 education and the Constitution•Debt service•Pension payments•Federal matching fund requirements
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Financial Aid in 2011-13 Budget
• State Need Grant already underfunded $196 Million (25,677 unserved eligible students)
• State Need Grant funding increased to $570 Million (from about $417 M 2009-11)(FY 13 funding $302 million)
• State Work Study received $15.6 million(Reduction of two-thirds)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Why Did SNG Buck the Trend?
• Policy of keeping pace with public sector tuition hikes
• 71% of SNG funding increase from 2001 to 2010 driven by tuition policy (remainder includes more qualifying students, higher income eligibility)
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Sizing Current Problem
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
More Cuts Being Discussed
• State Budget is $1.3 billion out of balance
• There is no reserve
• About $2 billion in further cuts are likely
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
What are we talkin’?
• Big cuts to public institution appropriations (maybe 15% - $240 million)
• Complete elimination of funds for State Work Study
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
What are we talkin’ - SNG?
• 10% cut to SNG immediately ($22 million/yr)
• Deeper cuts under discussion
• SNG cut of $60 million? (20% of the program)
• SNG cut twice that size?
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
What Can You Do?
• Gather your data• Inform campus leaders, colleagues• Organize students (social media,
student newspapers, etc.) • SaveStudentAid.org• Call and/or write to legislators,
governor• Avoid harsh criticism – focus on the
importance and benefits
Gonzaga University Heritage University Pacific Lutheran University Saint Martin’s University Seattle Pacific University Seattle University University of Puget Sound Walla Walla University Whitman College Whitworth University
Contact InformationChris Thompson
Independent Colleges of Washington(206) 623-4494
Chris@ICWashington.org
SaveStudentAid.org
Facebook.com/IndependentCollegesWA
Twitter.com/ICW
Opportunity, Choice, Success