April 4, 1995 - SENATE CAPITAL BUDGET MAY BE ANNOUNCED THIS
WEEK (SHB 1070) The State House of Representatives will
likely pass its '95-'97 capital construction budget
by Wednesday, setting the stage for the State Senate to announce
its version of the same budget. Most significant about the proposed
House budget is that it fully funded the $9.066 million WSU Vancouver
education building and the $9.7 million Consolidated Information
Center Building at WSU Tri-Cities. Lawmakers are preparing a
$3.3 million floor amendment in the House for design and infrastructure
of a Joint Center building that would permanently house WSU Spokane.
THREE REPUBLICANS SUPPORT SENATE 1995-97 BIENNIAL OPERATING
BUDGET (HB 1410)
State Sen. Gene Prince, R-Thornton, whose district includes WSU
Pullman, was among three Republicans that joined with the Democratic
majority to pass the Senate's operating budget on a 28-19
vote. Also voting for the proposal were Sen. Jeannette Wood,
R-Woodinville, and Sen. Shirley Winsley, R-Fircrest. WSU generally
prefers the Senate budget, which provides $21.4 million more for
the university than the House version. Differences between the
House and the Senate versions of HB 1410 are substantial on other
issues as well. It is anticipated that the budget deliberations
in conference committee will lead to at least one special session
of the Legislature. This 105-day session is now winding into
its final three weeks.
HOUSE ACTION ANTICIPATED SOON ON '95 SUPPLEMENTAL OPERATING
BUDGET (SB 5103) A bill making small revisions for this current
biennial operating budget ending in July also has implications
for WSU. In the Senate-passed version, there is $700,000 for
WSU toward a library network between the four-year public institutions.
In the proposed House version, now in committee, there is funding
for $1.6 million in equipment for WSU's new veterinary teaching
hospital. Whether these will be funded will ultimately be left
up to a conference committee.
HB 2085 HAS RETIRING EMPLOYEES WORRIED A bill that was
rapidly moving through the State House of Representatives to eliminate
sick leave "cash out" benefits was abruptly sent back
to Rules committee Friday before it could come to a vote of the
full House. The measure could have substantial impact on retirement
benefits for some WSU employees. A number of employees planning
summer or fall retirement have indicated they will retire immediately
if the Legislature approves the bill. The bill contains an "emergency
clause," which means it will take effect when signed by the
governor. WSU opposes the bill.
"TACO BELL" BILL DIES IN COMMITTEE (HB 1969)
House-passed legislation to restrict the ability of higher education
institutions to enter into franchise license agreements with national
fast food chains has been killed by the Senate Higher Education
Committee without a vote. The bill was directed at Central Washington
University, which was planning to have its employees serve Mexican
fast food under the label of a popular fast food chain such as
Taco Bell. The Legislation was prompted by Ellensburg businesses
charging that state employees were unfairly competing for business.
WSU supported some drafts of the legislation which required higher
education institutions to consult with local businesses on some
matters, but opposed the most recent draft of the bill which circumvented
the Board of Regents authority in some commercial decisions.
Meanwhile, the House has sent to the Senate HB 1969, permitting
contracting out of state services.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ON TUITION LIKELY The House Higher
Education Committee stripped all the language off the Rinehart
Tuition Bill (SB 5325) and substituted the House tuition language
(formerly in HB 1909.) This appears to set up a House-Senate
conference committee. The most significant difference is that
the House "offsets" tuition increases in institution's
general fund appropriations.
HOUSE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE SEEKS DRINKING BAN IN DORMS
(SB 5605) The House Higher Education Committee has approved
legislation banning consumption of alcohol by any aged student
in a dormitory in which most residents are under 21 years old.
WSU favors a Senate version of the bill that has no ban.
