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)

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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

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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)

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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)

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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

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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

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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

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Governor

• Signs bills into law• Vetoes (partial, full)• Appoints task forces• Initiates budget development• Executive agencies• Office of Financial Management• Governor’s proposed budget

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Part III

Hot Issues

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Three Issues in Olympia

1. Economy, Revenue, Budget2. Economy, Revenue, Budget3. Economy, Revenue, Budget

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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)

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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)

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Sizing Current Problem

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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