Debate on a proposed University of Washington campus in Snohomish County took an unexpected turn today that has left college supporters scratching their heads.
The House Appropriation Subcommittee on Education rejected Gov. Chris Gregoire’s request to spend $1.1 million to start classes this fall if a site for a new UW North Sound is selected.
Instead, the Democrat-controlled panel voted to steer that same sum of cash into adding enrollment slots at community and technical colleges in Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties. Rep. Kathy Haigh, D-Shelton, who runs the committee, said she kept the same amount of money in the budget recommendations while lawmakers decide in the coming weeks how best to spend it.
All of this surprised representatives of the UW and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. They had no indication the committee would veer from the governor’s recommendation until Monday afternoon. This morning, Randy Hodgins, UW’s director of state relations, didn’t mask his frustration with the development.
Addressing the committee before it voted, Hodgins asked if this meant the UW can stop making plans for the four-year university and let those running the two-year college system take charge.
“I’m just trying to clarify,” he said. “Me too,” Haigh responded.
Today’s vote – while far from the end game – is the first sign that creation of a new college might not happen.
Until now, hesitant legislators expressed their concerns in the form of questions posed in a spate of hearings related to the college. Today’s action will likely empower those lawmakers to speak up and fire up college backers to shore up legislative support.
Today’s recommendations will now go to the full House budget-writing panel led by Rep. Helen Sommers, D-Seattle. Her vice chairman is Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, the boisterous proponent of a campus in Everett.
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