Notes on Impacts of the House Democratic Budget
On Washington State University
The proposed House Democratic 2000 supplemental budget was released Thursday, Feb. 24. It has none of the unwanted budget reductions to WSU contained in the House Republican budget.
1. WSU Tri-Cities, which lost $1.453 million in the House GOP budget, received no reductions from the House Democrats. The Democrats provided funding for these existing WSU programs that were marked for cuts by Republicans:
· Funding for 287 students at WSU Pullman
· Funding for 40 students at WSU Spokane
· Funding for 158 students at WSU Tri-Cities.
· Funding for 51 students at WSU Vancouver
· Continuation of faculty salary increases approved last year.
· Continuation of the Advanced Technology Initiative, an innovative research program in precision agriculture, semi-conductor research, and reproductive biology.
· and Attorney General Office Revolving Fund ($90,000)
2. Spokane Health Sciences Proposal Unfunded
The House Democratic budget did not provide funding for the Spokane Health Sciences Initiative ($600,000) and Health Benefit Reserves Pay Back ($211,000).
3. Power Plant increase $3,600,000
Needed emergency repairs are provided for the Pullman campus power plant.
4. South Pullman Campus Electrical Facility increase $ 272,000
The maintenance and utility budget request item was not funded by the 1999 Legislature for the 1999-01 biennium budget.
5. Enrollment - Next Year reduction - $1,426,000
Enrollment growth targets for the 2000-01 academic year are reduced by the House Democratic budget at the request of the University. This is a reduction in new funding, not in the existing base (as House Republicans advocated.) It still allows for growth at all campuses.
WSU Pullman (100 students) - $ 464,000
WSU Spokane ( 50 students) - $ 469,000
WSU Vancouver ( 50 students) - $ 493,000
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