With time running out on the 2021 regular session and budget negotiations still underway, legislators this week continued concurrence votes and debating bills necessary to implement the budget, including the proposed capital gains tax. The 105-day session ends Sunday. >>
The Legislature spent this week hearing and voting on bills that received amendments after passing their originating chamber, including the corrections education bill. Budget negotiators are still at work on operating, capital and transportation budget proposals hoping to reach an agreement before Sine Die on April 25. >>
In December of 2020, I was notified that I had been selected to serve as one of two legislative interns for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and my internship would begin in January of 2021. Initially, I was very excited for the opportunity, but I was intimidated because I had little experience with the legislative process prior to my internship. While that experience was limited, I had plenty of experience interacting with and advocating for my fellow students in community and technical colleges. >>
The House and Senate spent the bulk of the week debating and voting on bills ahead of Sunday's chamber cutoff deadline. Highlighting the week: The community and technical college system's requested bill that would prohibit school districts from withholding students' official grades and transcripts due to an unpaid fee or fine passed the Senate; The bill allowing community and technical colleges to offer bachelor's degrees in computer science passed the House; The bill expanding the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness pilot passed the Senate. >>
With just weeks before of the end of my 2021 legislative session internship, I continue to be filled with appreciation for the opportunity to advocate on behalf of Washington college students. Over the three months I’ve been with the State Board, Sydney and I have been introduced to amazing people who are so passionate about making the road to higher education as accessible as possible for all students in Washington state. >>
House and Senate fiscal committees will wrap up their work today after a week of hours-long meetings to hear public testimony and vote on bills. Committee members this week heard community and technical college-focused bills on diversity, equity and inclusion, computer science bachelor's degrees, equity and access, supporting students experiencing homelessness, and the Customized Training Program. >>
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Legislative News is published weekly during the legislative session by the staff of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to highlight issues impacting the two-year college system.
SBCTC is led by a Governor-appointed board and provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination for Washington’s system of 34 public community and technical colleges. Each year, about 337,000 students train for the workforce, prepare to transfer to a university, gain basic math and English skills, or pursue continuing education. Visit our website at SBCTC.edu or email us a SBCTCCommunications@sbctc.edu
