House, Senate release versions of supplemental budget

Western Today staff

March 3, 2014

The Washington State Senate and House have released their version of the 2014 supplemental operating and capital budget. A few noteworthy highlights from both the Senate and House operating budgets include:

2014 Senate Supplemental Operating Budget

  • 0% tuition fee increase for resident undergraduate students for FY 15
  • Removes Board of Trustees authority to increase tuition fees for resident undergraduates through 2014-15
  • Reduces employer monthly healthcare cost to $703 from $763 in FY 15
  • Other Higher Education Highlights from the 2014 Senate operating budget:
    • Increase in the Opportunity Scholarship Funding - $25M. Funds are used to provide tuition assistance to low and middle class students pursuing study in high demand fields.
    • Funds the “Real Hope Act” - $5M. Funds are used to serve additional students in the State Need Grant program.

2014 House Supplemental Operating Budget

  • 0% tuition fee increase for resident undergraduate students for FY 15
  • Reduces employer monthly healthcare cost to $658 from $763 in FY 15.
  • Other Higher Education Highlights from the 2014 House operating budget:
    • Funds the “Real Hope Act” - $5M. Funds are used to serve additional students in the State Need Grant program.

You can find additional information on the outcome of each operating budget passed on the Western Washington University Budget Office's website, and on the following customary chart. 

2014 Supplemental Capital Budget

The Governor’s Office, Senate and House have all passed their versions of the supplemental Capital Budget bill.  All three bills have an appropriation of $5,000,000 for the Carver Academic Renovation that would allow Western to start in early summer 2015 on abatement, civil, earthwork & demolition.   Prior to the end of the supplemental session, a conference committee will form of both House and Senate members and develop a final Capital Budget bill that will be passed by both houses and signed by the Governor.   

The final operating and capital budget will not be determined until the conference committees (members from both the Senate and House) develop a compromise budgets which in turn will require the Governor’s signature.