Now, how to pay for STEM

For policy wonks, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) is a mod buzzword. STEM transcends political party, a Republican and Democratic anthem. More STEM and health-care graduates will invigorate Western Washington's economy, and fill a yawning skills gap. And so there's agreement. 

The "yes-and" question is whether Olympia lawmakers will pony up to boost higher-ed's capacity and prepare K-12 students for a brave new science and math curriculum.