2016 Legislative Agenda

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Fix 2015-17 Funding Shortfalls

Critical compensation adjustment

The 2015-17 operating budget provided compensation increases for college staff, but the budget funded only 83 percent of the impact to college budgets. Full compensation funding would protect funds already budgeted for student programs and services.

Adjust for tuition reduction in applied baccalaureate programs

The 2015-17 operating budget accounts for lost tuition revenue for lower-division coursework, but the offset does not fully cover lost revenue in applied bachelor’s degree programs. An adequate backfill would support these successful, in-demand workforce degrees.

Support instructional facilities

The 2015-17 capital budget lacks funding for eight priority capital projects at the following colleges: Edmonds, Wenatchee, Olympic, Pierce Fort Steilacoom, Whatcom, South Seattle, Bates and Shoreline. This would advance our ten-year capital plan and protect students from learning in dilapidated or inadequate buildings.

Fill Gaps in the Workforce

Basic Education for Adults: legislative policy request(HB 2329 & SB 6161)

About 650,000 to 700,000 Washington adults need basic skills to pursue college for living-wage jobs and meet employers’ needs. SBCTC requests this population be added to the caseload forecast to develop stable funding for adult basic education in the future.

STEM degrees

The MESA Community College Program helps under-represented students pursue STEM degrees. This additional investment would expand the program from six colleges to all 34 colleges.

Opportunity Grants

SBCTC requests funding to expand the Opportunity Grant Program. The program provides student support services and financial help for low-income student to pursue education in high-wage, high-demand careers.

Promote Student Success

Faculty increments

Students and employers alike rely on faculty to bring knowledge and innovation into the classroom. Funding faculty increments would help colleges retain and attract the talent needed to maintain excellent instruction.

Advising, career planning and development

Academic advising, career planning and other support services keep students on-track to graduate on time. New investments would support these vital services, which were cut deeply during the Recession-era budget reductions.

Public safety through corrections education and training (HB 2619 & SB 6260)

National research shows that prison education reduces recidivism rates and frees public funds for other important priorities. A statutory change is needed to allow the use of existing state funds for academic degree programs within corrections institutions.

College affordability

SBCTC supports the Washington Student Achievement Council in seeking additional funding for the State Need Grant and College Bound Scholarship program.

Joint Legislative Committee (JLC)

The JLC gives advice to the State Board and SBCTC staff on legislative issues. The JLC reviews the trustees' and presidents' legislative priorities to build a recommendation to the State Board for a system-wide legislative platform. During legislative session, the JLC meets weekly by telephone to advise the State Board staff on legislative positions for the system.

JLC members:

SBCTC Executive Director (serves as chair)
Three State Board members
Three trustees (ACT president and co-chairs of the Legislative Steering Committee)
Three presidents (WACTC president, president-elect and chair of the WACTC Legislative and Public Information Committee)
State Board Staff