State Briefing Papers

TO: WSU Administration, Faculty, Staff, Students, Constituencies

FROM: Larry Ganders, Olympia

SUBJECT: 1998 Sine Die Legislative Notes - REVISED DRAFT

DATE: March 27, 1998
 

Summary

Many had low expectations for the 1998 legislative session. Indeed, the state spending limit declined with the adjustments passed in the supplemental operating budget. Lawmakers largely held to addressing only tax cuts, "emergencies" and "opportunities that will not be available next biennium." Government was divided between a Republican-controlled Legislature and a Democratic governor in an election year. Term limits were recently ruled unconstitutional. Yet, significant issues were addressed that offer real assistance to Washington State University.

Non-glamorous issues such as WSU litigation/settlement costs consumed much of the university's lobbying efforts during the session. There were also funds for building maintenance and conversion of computers for the year 2000. Such critical issues could have been ignored by legislators without immediate political consequences. If lawmakers had not acted responsibly, existing WSU programs (already struggling with reallocations this spring) may have suffered additional hardship.

The legislative session will probably be remembered by WSU because of the important reforms that were attempted in delivering higher education to Spokane. Gov. Gary Locke will determine the ultimate outcome, perhaps later this week. WSU is urging the governor to sign that bill into law and pave the way for more higher education programs to be offered to Spokane residents.

Educators are disappointed that a broad endowment program proposed by all of the state's public four-year and two-year institutions did not survive in the House (SSB 6242). Likewise, additional WSU tuition waiver authority died in budget conference committee. Important issues involving funding K-20 electronic classrooms and managing WSU trust lands were barely considered. The model for the Board of Regents was changed. Yet, such disappointments are tempered by some important breakthroughs: Permanent funding was identified for distinguished professorships and graduate fellowships for the first time in history. Funding was also secured to finally begin a pre-paid tuition program that may help families plan for college. Two new WSU regents were confirmed. Realtors dipped into their own pockets and supported a self-imposed fee to rescue WSU real estate programs, another sign that private/public partnerships are working at the university. Funds allocated for state-wide efforts like Internet 2 and a Cooperative Library Network will hold benefits for WSU. WSU met lawmakers more than half-way by proposing to adjust enrollment targets to more realistic levels. It is an unprecedented action that earned WSU credibility in the Legislature (even referenced by the Ways and Means Chair in floor debate), returned $2.65 million to the state, and avoided substantial penalties to the university.

WSU appreciates the extraordinary action of some lawmakers on its behalf in the 1998 session, most notably Sen. Jim West, Sen. Gene Prince, Sen. Jeannette Wood, Rep. Tom Huff, Rep. Larry Sheahan, and Rep. Don Carlson.

SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING BUDGET Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6108 - Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

The supplemental budget ended up passing each house under largely partisan lines. It passed the House 57-41 and the Senate 26-23 in the final days of the session. Perhaps most significant about the supplemental budget overall, is that it did not change the $19.085 billion spending level of the original biennial budget.

Here are the highlights of the compromise budget that adjusts the Washington State University biennial budget upward by $1.5 million. Gov. Locke has until early April to act on the bill.

• The budget for WSU for the biennium is adjusted to $341,225,000 in general fund appropriations.
• The budget transfers $590,000 to WSU to assume business management of the Spokane Riverpoint Higher Education campus. That is $90,000 less than the Senate budget and was not addressed in the House budget.
• Funding proposed by the Senate for $100,000 for workload increases at the WSU Fish Disease Diagnostic Laboratory were included.
• The negotiators rejected a special Spokane pilot program for WSU non-resident waivers. Waivers for Eastern Washington University were retained.
• One-time funding of $250,000 is appropriated to the Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct studies in Spokane concerning the level of higher education services, quantity, completeness, affordability, and economic impact.
• $271,000 is provided solely to pay the increased employer funding rate resulting from the settlement of lawsuits involving retired state employees and other parties in Thurston County Superior Court.
• $29,000 was provided from outside sources to the state Department of Ecology to contract with WSU to research economically feasible alternatives to grass seed burning in Eastern Washington.

These items, which were not in dispute between the houses, were also included in the final budget:

• $3.25 million for WSU legal costs and settlements associated with the Vancouver branch campus and the Veterinary Teaching Hospital projects.
• Revised enrollment targets requested by WSU for 1998-99 that results in a $2.65 million reduction.
• Funding to UW for development of Internet 2.
• $810,000 to the state Higher Education Coordinating Board for completion of the Cooperative Library Network.
• $1.3 million for a prepaid tuition program through the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• $10 million to state government for conversion of computer systems to accommodate dates after the year 2000.

SUPPLEMENTAL CAPITAL BUDGET Substitute Senate Bill 6455 - Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

The budget provides $3 million to make necessary repairs and improvements to WSU Pullman campus buildings. It was the final budget prepared with House Capital Budget Chairman Barry Sehlin, R-Oak Harbor. Sehlin, who announced he will retire from the Legislature, has been instrumental in providing for many WSU construction projects during his six years in office. He will be missed.

There wasn't much controversy or money in the capital budget this year. The final conference committee report passed the Senate 41-2. It passed the House 98-0. The capital budget generally includes appropriations for the acquisition, construction, and repair of capital assets such as land, buildings, and other infrastructure improvements. Funding for the capital budget is primarily from state general obligation bonds, with other funding derived from various dedicated taxes, fees, and state trust land timber revenues. The supplemental budget provided a total of $61 million in new capital projects for state government, of which only $17.7 million is from new state bonds.

 

SPOKANE HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATION Substitute Senate Bill 6655 - Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

The most significant higher education issue facing the 1998 Legislature was how to deliver programs to Spokane. The legislation was overwhelmingly approved by the state House of Representatives, 64-30, but passed the state Senate along largely partisan lines, 27-21. In the Senate, it was largely a showdown between Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jim West, R-Spokane, and Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane. Brown is an EWU faculty member.

The previous year began with Eastern Washington University officials contacting WSU to discuss as possible merger of the two institutions or many programs. Regents and trustees from both EWU and WSU met with Gov. Gary Locke to discuss options.

The governor ordered a study by the state Higher Education Coordinating Board with recommendations for the 1998 Legislature.

Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jim West, R-Spokane, proposed on Nov. 28 that the presidents of the two institutions design a merger plan. But EWU's interest turned to opposition and WSU continued to have reservations. Many legislators, including Sen. Gene Prince, R-Thornton, strongly opposed the merger as the 1998 session began but shared West's concern that Spokane was lacking critical higher education programs.

West and Prince reached an agreement late in the session that kept the institutions separate but sought to maximize the number of programs that could be offered to the Spokane area. They introduced Substitute Senate Bill 6717 which sought to make Spokane programs by all institutions subject to the state Higher Education Coordinating Board and not the Spokane Joint Center for Higher Education. WSU supported the concept. The HEC Board released its findings on Feb. 15, largely confirming the direction of the West-Prince bill but also recommending that the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute be turned over to Washington State University and not created as a new state agency as West and Sen. Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, had proposed inn Senate Bill 6655. The Senate added new language to SB 6717 to attempt to make it identical to HEC Board recommendations on all issues except SIRTI. It also passed SB 6655.

When the bills moved to the House in late February, they were combined into the single bill, SB 6655. In the face of strong opposition from EWU employees, the legislation was rewritten in the House Higher Education Committee by Rep. Larry Sheahan, R-Rosalia. The Sheahan amendment retained most of the significant aspects of each bill but sought to clarify and reassure EWU employees who believed their programs and jobs might be in jeopardy.

EWU continued to oppose the legislation, many arguing that it would lead to EWU programs being yanked out of Spokane and returned to Cheney. In truth, the legislation merely required each institution to secure approval for Spokane programs from the HEC Board, just as is required throughout the rest of the state. WSU anticipates, that most, if not all, EWU programs will remain.

In an unprecedented move, the legislation guarantees programs in physical therapy, communication disorders, nursing and dental hygiene shall continue to be offered through EWU exclusively. While there were no such guarantees for any WSU programs, WSU is confident that elimination of the Joint Center Board will allow for HEC Board consideration of new WSU programs for Spokane.

If signed, Senate Bill 6655 is almost certain to result in more Washington State University research and instruction programs being offered to place-bound Spokane-area students. WSU strongly supports the legislation that grew out of the recommendations of the state Higher Education Coordinating Board. Currently, the Spokane Joint Center for Higher Education is the fiscal officer for two Spokane academic buildings and the Riverpoint Campus. The bill abolishes the Joint Center, which has been a barrier to offering more WSU programs in Spokane. The also provides that one research building will now be operated as a separate state agency by the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute (SIRTI), and the other building will be managed by WSU.

The bill assigns WSU, in cooperation with EWU and other institutions, the responsibility for "ensuring the expansion of" upper-division and graduate level higher education programs to Spokane beginning Jan. 1, 1999.

Highlights of Senate Bill 6655:
Section One
Intent Language:

• It is the intent of the Legislature to provide necessary access to quality upper-division and graduate higher education opportunities for the citizens of Spokane
• Intended that the Spokane branch campus of WSU, offering upper-division and graduate programs, be located at the Riverpoint Higher Education Park.
• WSU be the administrative and fiscal agent for the Riverpoint Higher Education Park.
• Programs offered by EWU and approved by the HECB, may serve at the Riverpoint Park.
• Streamline the program planning and approval process by eliminating the Joint Center for Higher Ed (thereby treating the Spokane higher education community like other public higher education communities in Washington.)
• Legislature encourages partnerships, collaboration and avoidance of program duplication through regular communication among the presidents.
• Residential mission of EWU in Cheney be strengthened.

• EWU focus on the excellence of its primary campus in Cheney.

• SIRTI is a vital and necessary element of the academic and economic future of Eastern Washington and should support and promote applied research.

Spokane Higher Education Studies Required By The Bill 1) HEC Board Needs Assessment. The HEC Board shall manage an assessment that determines the current higher education resources of the greater Spokane area. Preliminary report is due July 1, and shall be submitted to the Legislature by Oct. 1. Current and future capital and programmatic higher education needs shall be assessed. 2) HEC Board Economic Assessment of the greater Spokane Area. Also to be completed by July 1, and submitted to Legislature by Oct. 1 in coordination with OFM, employment security, DCTED, etc. and reference previous economic studies. Input from Spokane area civic leaders is needed and an analysis of the current economic situation. An analysis of possible transformation toward high technology and evaluation of basic and applied research is also required.

3) HEC Board Plan for the EWU Spokane Center Building. Based on the findings in 1) and 2), the HEC Board shall evaluate and develop a plan for the best use of the EWU Spokane Center Building.

4) WSU Plan for the management of the Riverpoint Higher Education Park, except SIRTI. Based on the findings in 1) and 2), Washington State University shall develop and deliver the HEC Board a plan for the management of the Riverpoint Higher Education Park, excluding SIRTI. The plan includes capital facilities maintenance and development, Coordination of upper-division course offerings and coordination of graduate programs. WSU shall assume EWU students enrolled in EWU courses will pay EWU tuition and WSU shall assume a maximum level of collaboration and partnerships

5) WSU Plan for Spokane Higher Education Services and Possible Health Sciences Consortium. Due to the HEC Board by Sept. 1, with the final plan due Oct. 15. The plan is to include: relocation of all Spokane-based upper-division and graduate course offerings and existing & planned structures. Nursing course and programs located in the Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education shall remain at that location. A plan to include an intercollegiate health sciences consortium that would be modeled on the ICNE is required. Intercollegiate Health Sciences shall include but not be limited to programs offered through the ICNE. Programs offered by EWU in physical therapy, communication disorders, nursing and dental hygiene shall continue to be offered by EWU in Spokane.

6) WSU Mission Plan (Oct. 15). In consultation with the HEC Board, WSU& shall write a new mission statement and operations plan for its Spokane branch campus. The bill requires it to be submitted to the HEC board Sept. 1, and a final mission statement is due Oct. 15. The plan must identify academic centers of excellence for WSU to focus to enhance its upper-division and graduate enrollment, reflect that EWU programs in physical therapy, communication, nursing and dental hygiene shall be continued to offered by EWU, describe and target WSU Spokane branch campus's primary student audience, ensure that WSU Spokane branch campus's admission standards complement the primary student audience, describe circumstances under which it is appropriate for WSU to serve non-primary students, establishing projected enrollment levels for WSU Spokane, describe how WSU Spokane will be consistent with state enrollment levels, develop financial projections for serving these projected enrollment levels, and analyze and review all capital and capacity information.

7) WSU Programs Plan (Oct. 15) As part of the above report: WSU is to identify and report to the HEC Board programs that should be offered in Spokane because of documented demand, unique partnerships, demonstrated efficiency and other considerations.

8) EWU Mission Statement (Oct. 15) EWU, in consultation with the HEC Board, shall write a new Mission statement and operations plan for EWU as a comprehensive Cheney-based public institution of higher education. The report shall be submitted by Sept. 1, 1998 to the HEC Board, and a final report due on Oct. 15. The report includes a requirement that EWU identify and report the HEC Board offerings in Spokane that should be returned to the Cheney campus, discontinued, or continued to be offered in Spokane because of documented demand, unique partnerships, demonstrated efficiency and other considerations.
 

Major Statutory Provisions of the Bill:

• Holds WSU responsible for assuring the expansion of upper-division and graduate-level education programs in Spokane. This is language similar to UW Tacoma. (Section 6) Eliminates "co-location" status for EWU Spokane, requiring them to secure HEC Board approval for Spokane programs.
• Riverpoint transfers to WSU. On July 1, all real estate and other assets including contracts, cash, equipment, buildings, facilities, except SIRTI, transfer to WSU. (Section 3)
• President's Housing may only be provided for the president of who resides at the primary campus (Section 4).
• Abolishes the Spokane Joint Center for Higher Education. Takes away purchasing and fee powers of the joint center for higher education. (Section 5, 7, 8)
• SIRTI is created as a new state agency with WSU As Senior Partner. Section 9 is the biggest departure from the HEC Board recommendations. The HEC Board recommended that SIRTI, its building, and its assets be turned over to WSU. The Legislature, instead, created a new state agency to run SIRTI and designated WSU as "the senior research partner. (Section 11)" The significance of the designation is uncertain, since the West-Brown language made WSU just one of 17 board members. Actually, the department of Community, Trade and Economic Development is responsible to the Legislature for the contractual performance of the institute.(Section 13)
SIRTI Board members are: Nine members of the public, six associated with technology based or manufacturing based industries. They each serve three-year terms. Plus these additional board members. WTC executive director or designee.
Provost of WSU or designee
Provost of EWU or designee
Provost of CWU or designee
Provost of UW or designee
Spokane Community Colleges
Gonzaga
Whitworth

PERMANENT FUNDS FOR DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIPS & GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS Senate Bill 6727 - Possible Action by Governor on April 2

Though this bill never had a vote against it on the House or Senate floor, it seemed perilously close to death late in the session. The House approved a striking amendment that would have rendered the bill useless. The Senate, in a game of political chicken, refused to concur with the House amendments. That left the House to either recede from its amendments or the bill would die. House Appropriations Chair Tom Huff, R-Gig Harbor, surprised many observers by asking the House to recede. The result is the bill passed to the governor on a 98-0 vote. This legislation should bring in about $5 million to these programs in the coming year alone. WSU's share of the first allocation is projected to be three new distinguished professorships and ten graduate fellowships or about $1 million. Ten percent of the $50 million balance in the state "Education Savings Account" will go to distinguished professorships, graduate fellowships, and community college "exceptional faculty" awards. The Education Savings Account is the fund that state agencies deposit half of their unspent funds at the end of a biennium under a program that allows them to carry over the remaining half of the moneys. In the first years of operation, the funds were exclusively used for K-12. However, as there were larger than anticipated balances in the fund, Senate Ways and Means Chairman Jim West proposed using them for matching higher education programs. Failure of the higher education endowment bill seemed to build legislative support for this legislation.

BILL ALLOWING WSU EMPLOYEES TO REGAIN RETIREMENT SERVICE CREDITS Senate Bill 6303 - Signed into Law March 11 - Effective In 90 Days

This legislation affects WSU employees employed before April 24, 1973 who transferred from TIAA/CREF to the state retirement system (PERS.) In some instances, those employees did not get credit for the years of prior service to the university. Gov. Gary Locke has signed into law legislation allowing up certain WSU employees to buy back lost credit for past years of service. There is no time limit. The legislation was proposed by Washington State University and the Washington Federation of State Employees. The Federation and WSU failed last year in gaining legislative approval but this summer the Joint Pension Policy Committee of the Legislature agreed to address the issue and recommended legislative action. The bill passed both houses unanimously. It was sponsored by Sen. Al Bauer, D-Vancouver.

REAL ESTATE RESEARCH CENTER BILL Substitute Senate Bill 6396 - Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

A bill that provides a permanent source of funding for WSU's "Washington Center for Real Estate Research" moved quickly through both houses of the Legislature. It passed the Senate 35-7 on Feb. 16 and it passed the House 94-3 on March 4. The legislation, which imposes a $10 biennial fee on each real estate broker, associate broker and salesperson, was proposed by the Washington Association of Realtors. The funding from the fee will ensure that the research, instruction and public service work of the center will continue. The center was created at WSU in 1989 with funding provided by a series of grants from the real estate education account administered by the state Department of Licensing. Unfortunately, the funding source for the account is the interest earned on real estate brokers' trust accounts. It has been dramatically reduced by lower interest rates and decisions by many brokers not to maintain trust accounts. (Companion House measure was SHB 2691).

PHARMACY STUDENTS FEE WAIVER House Bill 2534 - Governor Signed The Bill March 20

The current policy penalizes students who wish to expand their education by forcing them to choose between paying extra tuition fees or taking a course that will help with their careers. Currently, students must pay $231 per credit for loads exceeding 18 credits. WSU and UW will now have the authority to waive some or all of the fee for exceeding 18 credits. It is authority WSU has in veterinary medicine. Proponents argued that the Pharmacy degree had changed and that students must be allowed to take more credits without penalty. At one time, a pharmacist only needed a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Beginning this year, students must earn a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree. However, many legislators disagree with that requirement and the legislation was bogged down for a time over debate of the doctorate degree.. The legislation was sponsored by Rep. Linda Evans Parlette, R-Wenatchee. The bill was requested by Wayne A. Kradjan, Associate Dean, University of Washington School of Pharmacy. It takes effect in 90 days. The bill passed the House 96-0 and cleared the Senate unanimously, 49-0.

TWO NEW WSU REGENTS CONFIRMED SGA 9313, 9300 - No Further Action Needed

Rob Fukai, vice president of external relations for Washington Water Power Co, has been confirmed by the state Senate as the newest member of the WSU Board of Regents. Fukai holds WSU accounting and business administration degrees. He serves as a board member for Spokane School District No. 81 and is past chairman of United Way of Spokane County.

Bill Marler, a Bainbridge island attorney, was confirmed by the state Senate earlier in mid-February. Marler represented the murder victims of Wesley Allan Dodd. His other clients have included children who were victims of e-coli poisonings. He is a member of the Kargianis Watkins and Marler firm and earned three baccalaureate degrees from WSU.

The Senate also confirmed Costco Senior Vice President Bob Craves as chairman of the state Higher Education Coordinating board. Craves will also co-chair the governor's "2020 Commission" on higher education.

ADVANCED COLLEGE TUITION PAYMENT PROGRAM Second Substitute House Bill No. 2430 - Signed by Governor March 20

Priority legislation of the state Higher Education Coordinating Board, it provides the initial start-up funds to implement a program, previously approved by the Legislature, that would allow families to purchase tuition in advance at cost savings. Families purchase "tuition credits" at 1998 prices for state institutions like Washington State University in increments of $35 under one proposal. The legislation passed the state Senate 48-0 on March 3 and cleared the House 97-0 on Feb. 13. Susan Patrick, the former HEC Board lobbyist, has been named executive director of the program.

INITIATIVE 200 No Legislative Action - Voters Will Decide In November

The Legislature took no action on the controversial anti-affirmative action measure, Initiative 200. That simply means the measure will be submitted to voters in November. State Sen. Gene Prince and Gov. Gary Locke were among those favoring an alternative to put on the ballot.

  STUDENTS ADDED TO THE WSU BOARD OF REGENTS Substitute Senate Bill No. 5517 - Signed by the Governor March 20

Under legislation now signed into law by the governor, a student regent will be added to the boards of each of the state public four-year institutions. The legislation was opposed by WSU and supported by the Washington Student Lobby. For the University of Washington and for WSU, the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, appoints one full-time student in good standing to the board of regents. The student is chosen from a list of at least three and not more than five names submitted to the governor by the student governing body. The term of the student regent is for one year from June 1 until the appointment and qualification of the successor. Each board of regents is ten members, with six members constituting a quorum. The legislation passed the House overwhelmingly 81-17 on March 3. As has been the case in past years, there was more opposition in the Senate. But it still passed by a 31-18 margin. One difference from previous versions of the bill, is that the student member is required to "excuse himself or herself from participation or voting on matters relating to the hiring, discipline, or tenure of faculty members and personnel."

PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS House Bill 1193 - Signed by the Governor March 23

Increased the limits for reporting personal service contracts from $10,000 to $15,000 but extended the requirement to all funds, not just state general fund.

DAIRY NUTRIENT BILL Substitute Senate Bill 6161- Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

Washington State University will play a role in legislation designed to better handle manure from dairies to protect water resources. The bill passed the House 97-1 on Feb. 17. The Senate concurred with the House amendments on March 10 with a 37-12 vote.

FERTILIZER REGULATION ACT Substitute Senate Bill 6474 - Signed by the Governor on March 18

The fertilizer bill SSB6474 (Fertilizer Regulation Act) requires expanding a database and two studies that may ultimately involve WSU researchers: The Department of Agriculture must expand its fertilizer database to include additional information on waste-derived products. Information in the database must be made available to the public upon request. The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the Departments of Ecology and Health, must prepare a biennial report to the Legislature on levels of nonnutritive substances in fertilizers. The first report is due December 1, 1999. The Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with the Departments of Ecology and Health, must conduct a comprehensive study of plant uptake of metals. A report of the results of the study must be submitted to the Legislature by December 31, 2000. The Department of Ecology, in cooperation with the Departments of Agriculture and Health, must undertake a study of whether dioxins occur in fertilizers, soil amendments, and soils, and if so, at what levels. The department must report its findings to the Legislature in November 1998.

The 1998 Supplemental Department of Agriculture budget provides: $258,000 for a study of plant update of heavy metals. (not General Fund) Department of Ecology - $417,000 for a study of the presence of dioxins in soils and fertilizers, and review of applications for registration of waste-derived fertilizers (Local Toxins control account)

SALMON RECOVERY Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2496 - Awaiting Gubernatorial Action

Authors of this legislation envisioned some ultimate role for WSU in the effort to save endangered salmon. The bill directs a request (by the governor) to the national academy of sciences, the American fisheries society, or a comparable institution to screen candidates to serve as members on the independent science panel. The purpose of the independent science panel is to help ensure that sound science is used in salmon recovery efforts. The institution that conducts the screening of the candidates shall submit a list of the nine most qualified candidates to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the majority leader of the senate. The candidates shall reflect expertise in habitat requirements of salmon, protection and restoration of salmon populations, artificial propagation of salmon, hydrology, or geomorphology. . Secondly, The conservation commission, in consultation with local government and the tribes, shall

invite private, federal, state, tribal, and local government personnel with appropriate expertise to act as a TECHNICAL advisory group. The TECHNICAL advisory group shall identify the limiting factors for salmonids.

UNSUCCESSFUL BILLS: HIGHER EDUCATION "ENDOWMENT BILL" Substitute Senate Bill 6242 - Dead

Accusations from "independent" institutions that a major higher education endowment bill for public schools could stifle private fundraising efforts apparently killed the bill in the state House of Representatives. Substitute Senate Bill 6242, which passed the Senate 40-8, enjoyed unusual priority support from all six of the state's public higher education institutions and all 32 of the state's community colleges. Presidents from many of the state's institutions spoke out for the bill. But the bill was severely amended by the House Appropriations Committee and left to die on the House calendar without a floor vote Friday. No public money would have been provided by the legislation. It simply sets up the mechanism for allow future allocations of state dollars to public institutions to be matched on a dollar-for-dollar basis by private donors. But the "Friends of Higher Education," a consortium of private institutions, said matching endowments are unfair competition to their fundraising efforts and those of charitable groups. Some charities have disputed that accusation but House leaders appear to agree with the concerns.

VANCOUVER BORDER COUNTY WAIVER BILL House Bill 2373 -Died on Senate Calendar

For the second straight year, House-approved legislation creating a pilot program for reduced tuition appears to have died in the state Senate. House sponsors had indicated they could live with amendments added by a Senate committee but the bill failed to clear the Senate by Friday's 5 p.m. deadline. The bill would have allowed Portland students to take up to eight credit hours of classes from WSU Vancouver at resident tuition rates.

WSU/DNR TRUST LANDS LEGISLATION House Bill 2583 - Died in House Appropriations Committee.

Efforts to end the illegal practice of charging management fees on WSU trust lands continue to run into serious obstacles in the Legislature. The state Department of Natural Resources and WSU agreed on a legislative solution, House Bill 2583. The bill was approved overwhelmingly by the House Natural Resources Committee but failed to be considered by the House Appropriations Committee before the Feb. 10 deadline for bills to pass fiscal committees. Apparently committee members were not willing to commit to the $1.2 million price tag of the bill, which was never addressed in the budget.

TRAVEL LEGISLATION Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 2027 - Died Awaiting Senate Assignment

House-passed legislation that prohibits state employees from reimbursement for airline tickets purchased over-the-counter has apparently died without consideration by the state Senate. WSU opposed the legislation.

Legislative Trends to Consider

• There is a diminished appreciation of the role of a public (versus private) institution that must be addressed.
• The Legislature gives maximum attention to agencies/causes with clear, concise agendas.
• The mood of the Legislature remains populist.
• Tax Cuts remain far more popular than new programs.
• Anti-crime legislation receives maximum attention.
• Support for salmon restoration is building to maximum levels.
• Moral issues get more attention than most previous legislatures.
• Limiting government growth remains popular.
• Legislators individually favor contracting out for services and other business initiatives but collectively have not supported them.
• Access remains the strongest higher education issue.