February 2, 2024–The Washington State Legislature passed a key cutoff deadline January 31, which was the date when all policy bills had to be passed by their relevant committees to remain viable. The action now shifts to the fiscal committees and to the floors of the House and Senate.  

Bills that expand student eligibility criteria for the Washington College Grant (SB5999), extend student employee bargaining rights (SB5895) and make it easier for incarcerated students to access federal financial aid (HB2171) have made it through the first cutoff.  

The next deadline comes on Monday February 5, when all bills must be approved by the fiscal committees to continue being considered. Fiscal committees will meet over the weekend to make this deadline.   

On January 24, the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee unanimously approved a group of Senate Gubernatorial Appointments which includes Evergreen trustees Ed Zuckerman, Allyson Brooks, Miguel Pérez-Gibson, Pam MacEwan and Kristopher Peters. They now head to the Rules Committee for a second reading, and if all goes well, onto the Senate floor for consideration.   

Speaking on behalf of the six public baccalaureate institutions of Washington, Evergreen President John Carmichael opened the Council of President’s annual reception for legislators at the Governor’s Mansion on January 25. It was a great opportunity to connect with senior legislators and staff in key decision-making roles.  

The college’s Shelton Promise proposal is currently funded in the House and Senate operating (HB2104 and SB5950) budget bills. This would provide $738,000 for our place-based pilot proposal, aimed at graduating seniors in the 2025 and 2026 graduating classes in the Shelton School District. Evergreen would also receive $73,000 to expand a currently half-time benefits navigator to full-time, to help students meet basic needs. As the legislature’s focus shifts from policy to budget issues, Evergreen is strongly advocating for our budget requests.