OLYMPIA — A tug-of-war began Thursday on whether the state should sanction a major expansion of Washington State University in Everett.

At a legislative hearing, Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson led a delegation pulling for passage of a bill that would put WSU in control of the University Center of North Puget Sound in three years.

Today, the center serves about 500 students and is run by Everett Community College at its campus.

“They’ve really done a remarkable job,” Stephanson told the House Higher Education Committee. “To me, this is about setting the foundation for the future.”

But EvCC President David Beyer and Trustee Gene Chase led opponents who criticized the city and WSU for trying to muscle in on a successful program without consulting them. They said the bill will fracture relationships with the public and private colleges who offer courses through the center.

There’s a need for WSU in the community “but not to take over our University Center,” Chase said.

Under the House bill, and a companion version in the Senate, WSU will be put in control of the University Center on July 1, 2014 if it meets certain conditions.

The research university must establish an engineering program in Everett and draw up a blueprint for running the center. That plan must lay out how WSU intends to meet the future higher education needs of Snohomish, Island and Skagit counties.

“I think this is a moral imperative as we look to the educational needs of our community,” Stephanson said. “If not now, when? If not WSU, who?”

Thursday’s hearing ended before about a dozen people had their chance to speak.

Representatives of the Machinists union, Aerospace Futures Alliance and Snohomish County signed up to testify in support, while leaders of Western Washington University, four community colleges and the statewide student association wanted to voice opposition.

The House committee is set to vote on the bill Wednesday

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee will hold a hearing on the companion bill.

To read and track the progress of House Bill 1792 and Senate Bill 5636 go to www.leg.wa.gov or www.washingtonvotes.org.