The Legislature adjourned sine die Thursday afternoon after passing the 2026 supplemental operating budget and supplemental capital budget.

Legislature passes supplemental operating budget, minimizes cuts to Running Start

The Legislature on Thursday passed the 2026 supplemental operating budget, including $2.37 billion in funding for the community and technical college system for the remainder of the 2026 fiscal year, which ends June 30, and the 2027 fiscal year. Notably, the budget includes:

  • A base funding reduction of $2.2 million in fiscal year 2027
  • Elimination of funding for all industry-specific Centers of Excellence starting fiscal year 2027
  • Requirement for the State Board to study and make recommendations that may reduce redundancies and expenses that do not directly support student success, with a report required to the legislature by Dec. 1, 2026
  • Temporary reduction in the Running Start FTE from 1.4 to 1.3 in the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years

Cascadia CC5 building, statewide projects funded in capital budget

The 2026 supplemental capital budget passed the Legislature Thursday with $20 million in new funding for community and technical college system projects. The budget includes:

  • $5 million for breaking ground on Cascadia College’s CC5 building
  • $4 million for Building Tune-up Program
  • $4 million for HVAC upgrades
  • $11 million for Seattle Central EcoDistrict decarbonization

The budget also includes alternative financing authority for two colleges:

  • $3 million for Lower Columbia College David Story Field project
  • $25 million for Spokane Community College Main building east wing renovation project

Trustees confirmed by Senate

The Senate this week confirmed 12 trustees to the boards of their colleges and the State Board:

  • Kelly K. Fukai to Spokane Colleges
  • Robert A. Zappone to Renton Technical College
  • Denise E. Gideon to Clark College
  • Adria Buchanan to Clover Park Technical College
  • Michelle R. Smith to Columbia Basin College
  • Edison A. Valerio to Columbia Basin College
  • Amy E. Parris to Big Bend Community College
  • Carl Bruner to Skagit Valley College
  • Laura Flores to Yakima Valley Community College
  • Robert H. Malte to Lake Washington Institute of Technology
  • Elisa K. Graceffo to Lake Washington Institute of Technology
  • Robert Decoteau to Bellingham Technical College