Locke Unveils Higher Education Plan Long-Term Proposal Anticipates Large Increases In Enrollment
Gov. Gary Locke on Thursday announced an ambitious proposal to boost enrollment in Washington’s universities and community colleges, increase faculty pay and stabilize tuition rates.
Locke, who promised in his campaign last year to make education his No. 1 priority, wants $116 million in new spending that’s financed by unspecified across-the-board cuts in the budgets of various state agencies.
His proposal drew strong support from school presidents who joined him at a news conference. It now will face weeks of scrutiny by a Republican-led Legislature that also has sworn to make education a top priority but is wary of fluctuating enrollment projections.
Republicans also are proposing deeper tax cuts than the governor, which means the GOP’s education plans might not spend as much money.
The governor’s proposal, titled “Opening the Doors to Higher Education,” addresses a number of issues, including enrollment, construction, tuition, financial aid and salaries. It’s a long-term plan that anticipates a huge increase in the number of college students.
“We’re planning for the future. We’re talking about increased opportunities for the next 10 years,” Locke said.
Locke wants a $2.9 billion higher-education operating budget for the two-year budget cycle that begins July 1, up from $2.6 billion in the current biennium.
His proposal includes enough money to raise enrollment in the four-year schools by 2,622 students, with most of the increases going to Washington State University and the University of Washington and their branch campuses.
The state currently has about 80,400 students in its six four-year universities and about 114,000 students in community colleges.
Tuition rates, a perennial worry for lawmakers, students and parents, would be tied to an “affordability index” that reflects changes in per capita personal income. Using that calculation, Locke’s budget includes a 4 percent tuition increase in fiscal 1997-98, and a 4.3 percent increase the following year, which would generate a total of $39.8 million.
To help offset rising education costs for families, Locke’s plan would boost spending for financial aid and scholarship programs by more than $31 million. It also would spend $76.9 million for a program to train unemployed and displaced workers.
Locke, who was the House’s chief budget-writer when he was in the Legislature, said the extra money would be found through budget cuts elsewhere in state government.
He declined Thursday to offer specifics about what programs would be cut to pay for his education plan.
Sen. Jeannette Wood of Woodway and Rep. Don Carlson of Vancouver, the Republican leaders of the House and Senate higher education committees, said they were disappointed Locke didn’t include them in developing his plan or brief them on the final product.
xxxx AT A GLANCE Here are some highlights of Gov. Gary Locke’s proposed spending plan for higher education: $2.9 billion operating budget for the 1997-99 biennium, up from $2.6 billion in the current budget period. The budget includes a $30 million increase in financial aid, a $39.8 million tuition increase, $30 million in salary increases for faculty, and $76.9 million for a fund that helps retrain unemployed and displaced workers. $533 million in construction spending for the 1997-99 biennium, up from $420 million in the current biennium. The construction budget includes $116 million to expand capacity at branch campuses. Enrollment increases Locke’s budget anticipates the following enrollment increases for the 1997-99 biennium: University of Washington, including branch campuses in Tacoma and Bothell: 933. Washington State, including branch campuses in Spokane, Tri-Cities and Vancouver: 976. Eastern Washington: 0. Central Washington: 200. Evergreen State College: 180. Western Washington: 333. Community, technical colleges: 3,688 Total: 6,310. -Associated Press