Gregoire’s proposed capital construction package affects WSU

Gov. Christine Gregoire proposes a package which seeks to stimulate the economy while simultaneously furthering Washington State University’s strategic plans despite impending budget cuts.

For the last two years, WSU’s annual allocation for its operating budget was $262 million, said Joan S. King, executive director of budget and planning. Gregoire’s proposed budget recommends cutting that figure by 12 percent, or $31 million.

Matthew A. Skinner, Associate Budget Director said, “Gregoire is looking at a 12% reduction while still introducing the construction package. The state senate is looking at an 18% reduction scenario.”

“At this point, actual size and depth of the budget reduction will not be clear until the legislature’s deliberations are complete,” explained Skinner.

In December, WSU created a 15-member budget committee to oversee the expected reductions in the university’s operating budget. The committee is co-chaired by President Elson S. Floyd and Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly.

“The university is in the process of gathering information and ideas on how to handle potential budget reductions,” said Skinner.

Gregoire’s recommended biennium budget does not include any of WSU’s new requests for its operating budget.

According to WSU’s The Daily Evergreen, the requests in additional funding would “support salary increases for faculty, staff and graduate students, funding for a new Core Computer Systems program, money to accommodate increased enrollment, funds for the new School of Global Animal Health and funds for new agriculture-related projects.”

Though Gregoire denied WSU’s requests for additional funding for its capital budget, the governor did include many of its project proposals in a special package aimed at stimulating the state’s economy and providing jobs to Washington state workers.

Gregoire unveiled the capital construction package on Dec. 18. It is intended to quickly stimulate the state economy which has been staggering due to the economic recession.

The governor’s capital construction package includes many of WSU’s requests for its 2009-2011 capital budget.

The $38.6 million Applied Technology Classroom Building on the campus of WSU Vancouver, WSU’s highest priority, was included in Gregoire’s recommendation. The building will support high-demand engineering degrees and research projects.

Gregoire’s capital construction budget also proposed $7.4 million in design funds for WSU’s second highest priority, the Veterinary Medical Research Building in Pullman.

Further, the proposed capital budget also provides $200,000 for the pre-design of the second phase of the Global Animal Health Building.

King said Gregoire’s capital construction package will likely undergo many changes as the package enters the legislature where it will be debated. The budget will not be completed until late spring.

Larry Ganders and Gov. Christine Gregoire's offices were unavailable for comment prior to the release of this article.

Joan S. King – Executive Director of Budget and Planning
(509) 335-9681

Matthew A. Skinner – Associate Director of Budget
(509) 335-1836

Larry Ganders – Assistant to the President and Lobbyist in Olympia
“Gregoire budget cuts WSU by 12 percent, $31 million”