January 19, 2024–The Washington State Legislature began its 60-day session on January 8, with key Senate and House committees taking live public testimony from the first day.  

Working from Governor Inslee’s proposed 2024 supplemental budget, the House and Senate budget bills would add additional resources to Evergreen’s 2024 budget: $738,000 to initiate the Shelton Promise pilot program, and $73,000 to support a benefits navigator to help students meet basic needs.  

Evergreen Government Relations Director Sandy Kaiser testified in the House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means committees January 8 and 9 in favor of both budget bills, HB 2104 and SB 5950. She underlined the innovative place-based approach of Shelton Promise and the potential impact it might have in helping rural students achieve four-year degrees.  

Draft legislation to make it easier for incarcerated students to access their financial aid was an Evergreen priority this week. Kaiser and Evergreen staff from the college’s prison education team worked with Rep. Mari Leavitt and partners from the Department of Corrections and community colleges to strengthen language in the bill, HB 2171. (Rep. Leavitt, who represents the 28th Legislative District, is a former Evergreen staff member.)   

On January 16, the bill was unanimously passed by the House Post-Secondary Education and Workforce Development Committee and now heads to the House Appropriations committee.  

Kaiser and Evergreen President John Carmichael have been meeting with various legislators throughout 2023 to update them on Evergreen’s enrollment growth and to advocate for support. In addition, government relations directors from the state’s public regional colleges (Eastern, Central, Western Washington universities and Evergreen) have been meeting as a group with legislators to request resources for improving college access. Since January 8 we have met with Sen. Keith Wagoner (R-39thLD), Sen. Ron Muzzall (R-10thLD), Sen. Bob Hasegawa (D-11thLD), Sen. Sam Hunt(D-22ndLD), Sen. Kevin Van de Wege (D-24thLD), Rep. Frank Chopp (D-43rdLD) and Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-32ndLD).  

Regents and trustees from public two-year and four-year colleges across the state stop for a quick photo before beginning their meetings with legislators. Evergreen Board of Trustees Chair Karen Fraser and Evergreen Student Trustee Onya Robertson stand in the front row to the far right.

January 18 was Regents and Trustees Day at the Legislature, with Evergreen trustees Karen Fraser and Onya Robertson joining trustees from other public four and two-year colleges to make the case for investment in higher education. Specific “asks” included more resources for outreach to make sure potential students know about state Washington Grant scholarships, expansion of mental health and basic needs programs, and support to keep faculty and staff salaries at a level that helps retention.  

Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-27thLD) is the new chair of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, and Sen. Drew Hansen (D-23rdLD) is now the vice chair.  Sen. Emily Randall (D-26thLD) remains on the committee.  

The Washington Roundtable, an influential group of Washington business leaders, this week published their annual enrollment report that analyzes trends at Washington state colleges.  Although their topline notes decline in aggregate student numbers, they also see “bright spots,” where Evergreen is featured. The college’s gain in resident undergraduates and in students of color are useful data points when talking to opinion leaders.