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Washington State University
2001 - 2003 Biennial Operating Budget Request
Senate Ways & Means Budget
Major Issues
- Budget cuts:
The Senate budget targetted budget cuts at 25% of the enhancements received for research and outreach programs since 1989. This is $3.3 million. Thursday night the Senate Ways and Means Committee adopted an amendment sought by WSU to allow the cuts to be taken in any program identified by the university. The amendment was offered by Sen. Larry Sheahan, R-Rosalia, and supported by Sen. Jeannie Kohl-Welles, D-Seattle, and Sen. Marilyn Rasmussen, D-Eatonville. This compares to a $4.7 million cut in the Governor`s budget.
- Salary increase rates improved:
Increase salaries by 3.7% in 2001 and 3.1% in 2002, the same rates mandated by voters for K-12 and community college teachers. This compares with 2.2% and 2.5% increases in the Governor`s budget.
A Recruitment and Retention pool is funded at $1.2 million. This compares to $2.8 million in the Governor`s budget.
- Under-funding of salary increases:
Salary increases would be funded for employees paid with state funds, but not those paid with tuition or federal funds, a shortfall of $5.6 million. This follows the Governor`s recommendation, but would be a major policy break from the past.
- SRC not funded:
Maintenance and Utilities for the Student Recreation Center was not funded. This $1.75 million item amounts to an additional budget cut. Senate Ways and Means Chair Lisa Brown announced during an executive session Thursday night that she would try to find a solution to the Rec Center proposal. Amendments to solve the problem were withdrawn.
- Net decrease in enrollment funding:
- For Pullman WSU requested a reduction of 277 FTE for `01-`02, enrollment that had originally been funded at $2.5 million. The Senate reduces the enrollment target, but cuts the budget by $3.8 million. This larger reduction appears to be an error. The error was corrected in an amendment offered by Senate Ways and Means Chair Lisa Brown on Thursday. It provided $1.3 million more funding to WSU. The Governor recommended no reduction for `01-`02.
- WSU requested increases of 250 FTE in Pullman, 65 FTE in Spokane and 125 FTE in Vancouver, all in the second year. The Senate funds 104 new FTE per year, for a total of 208 FTE with no designation of campus. Targets are university wide. (The Governor had recommended 8 FTE in Spokane and 14 FTE in Vancouver.)
- WSU requested funding ranging from $7,700 to $21,316 per FTE. The Senate funds new FTE at $7,718, enough for many programs but not for high cost health programs.
- Change in pension accounting:
TIAA-CREF funding is cut by $6.9 million, with an identical amount restored as the "flexible compensation initiative." Although the institution could cut pension contributions to increase salaries there would be no advantage to do so.
- No inflation funding:
As recommended by the Governor, no funding is provided for utility rate increases or other inflation. The Senate provides $1.6 million less than the Governor for pension and insurance costs.
- No other WSU programs are enhanced:
The $1 million recommended by the Governor for the Advanced Technology Initiative is not funded.
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