January 23, 2026—Public higher education including Evergreen took the stage this second week of session, with groups of stakeholders convening at the Legislature to advocate with decision-makers and rally against cuts to higher ed budgets. 

On MLK Day January 19, the state’s largest unions came to ask legislators to fully fund cost of living increases for higher education staff and faculty, and preserve funds specifically raised for higher education for that purpose.  

Higher education leaders such as House higher ed committee chair Rep. Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor), Senate higher ed committee vice-chair Sen. Drew Hansen (D-Bremerton), Washington Education Association President Larry Delaney and Evergreen President John Carmichael spoke on the important mission of colleges and universities, and the need for sustained public investment.  

On January 20, the Evergreen Advocates gathered for 17 meetings with legislators and staff, reminding them of the enormous and enduring value Evergreen provides students and the state. The Advocates, a group of alumni and friends of the college supported by the Evergreen Foundation Board of Governors, urged lawmakers to follow Governor Ferguson’s lead in treating Evergreen fairly and not singling the college out for unique cuts in the supplemental budget.  

Lieutenant Governor Denny Heck, representatives Dave Paul, Gerry Pollet (D-Seattle), Lisa Parshley (D-Olympia) and Beth Doglio (D-Olympia) joined the Advocates and members of the Evergreen Board of Trustees at an evening reception capping the day of advocacy.  

The Council of Presidents, the association of the public four-year baccalaureate institutions, brought the presidents of the state’s leading universities and colleges to the Governor’s Mansion January 22 to engage with legislators, Governor Ferguson’s policy team and other leaders on the critical mission of public higher education.  

Against the backdrop of advocacy and with budget woes foremost in their minds, legislators are racing to hear and pass bills, even though anything with a price tag is unlikely to move past fiscal committees. Bills that would raise revenue are beginning to appear, while a “millionaire’s income tax” bill, which Governor Ferguson said he could support, is still circulating in draft form, according to statehouse reporter Jerry Cornfield.  

House and Senate draft budgets are expected to be released in mid-February.