Local state representatives are seeking more funding for Western Washington University — starting in 2029.
District 42 Reps. Joe Timmons and Alicia Rule, and District 40 Reps. Alex Ramel and Debra Lekanoff sponsored a budget request on Thursday, April 3, asking for a recalculation of state funding to “ensure parity among state colleges.” But if the bill passes, it won’t apply until the 2029–31 biennium.
Western stands to gain an additional $21.4 million from this, the exact amount of money the university had requested from the state ahead of this year’s legislative session.
Western currently receives the least amount of funding from the state on a per-student basis, compared to all other state colleges and universities. This proposal would bring Western’s per-student funding up to match Central Washington University, the second-least funded institution on a per-student basis.
“The bill looks further ahead because it’s about fixing longstanding funding disparities and giving Western predictability moving forward — but it’s crafted to start after the state’s four-year budget outlook, which allows time to plan and navigate current fiscal constraints,” Timmons said in a statement to CDN. “My goal is to make sure Western is set up for success both now and in the years ahead.”
Timmons said this bill is “designed to address long-term funding stability,” but said he's currently working hard to prevent cuts to WWU’s funding in the current budget cycle. Gov. Bob Ferguson has proposed a 3% cut to all four-year higher education institutions.
“I’m in active conversations with budget writers and partners to make sure Western has the support it needs to continue serving students and preparing graduates for high-demand jobs,” Timmons said in a statement to CDN.
Western has eliminated 74 positions since last fall to handle its ongoing budget challenges. Positions cut include instructors and staff in an international student program, library positions, IT and communications positions. The university also restructured its administrative departments, reduced goods, services and software costs, and the reduced academic “parallel structures.”
Nora Selander, the university's director of government relations, called this budget request "an incredible show of support for Western and for reversing this historical disparity that has left Western students paying the greatest share of their education out of the entire public higher education system."
"While investments are unlikely this year, it is good to see the conversation taking shape in Olympia about higher education funding," Selander said in an email.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
