Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 27, 1997
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
The Governor's proposed $2.9 billion operating budget for state colleges and universities is coupled with an aggressive $538 million branch-campus construction plan to create space for 14,382 additional students over the next ten years.
"This is not just a two-year proposal," said Locke, who plans to release his complete 1997-99 budget recommendations next week. "It takes the first step in a long-range plan to expand education opportunities into the 21st century."
Recognizing that cost is a major factor for any family member pursuing a higher education, the Governor proposes tying future tuition rates to an affordability index which reflects changes in per capita personal income. His budget proposal also includes an additional $30 million to extend financial aid to 6,000 more students, and includes $1.2 million for scholarships awarded under the Washington Scholars Program and the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.
Locke said his proposal is designed to meet growing public demand for access to higher education, which is expected to rise sharply over the next ten years as the "baby boom echo" generation reaches college age. In addition, a growing number of people who have lost their jobs are seeking retraining to prepare for future job opportunities.
To respond to these demands, the Governor's financial plan includes $25.5 million to expand regular student enrollment over the next two years, and would funnel $76.9 million into the Employment and Training Trust Fund to support 7,200 student enrollments for dislocated and unemployed workers in each year of the coming biennium.
To help provide welfare recipients with basic skills, work experience, and job-specific training, the Governor's budget includes $7.9 million in funding to expand work-based learning programs at community and technical colleges by 1,200 full-time students over the biennium.
"My budget proposal lays out a long-range plan that meets the demand to accommodate more students in our state's higher education institutions," Locke said. "It also incorporates the goals of my WorkFirst welfare reform proposal by providing welfare recipients with job-specific skills to obtain work."
Lack of salary increases in recent years have made Washington's faculty prime targets for competitive offers from colleges and universities in other states. In response, Gov. Locke is proposing a long-term plan to increase faculty salaries to a more competitive level. It also holds public universities accountable for ensuring these funds lead to measurable improvements in quality.
Locke also has taken steps to improve instructional efficiency by redirecting $17.5 million in base funding for state colleges and universities into an "efficiency pool" that will be used to improve student graduation rates and improve coordination with two-year colleges.
To increase training and employment opportunities for young people, the Governor includes $1.4 million in his budget to provide for an additional 140 youths to be enrolled in community service projects sponsored by the Washington Service Corps. In addition, he has included funding to develop a new Washington Youthbuilt program which would allow the Employment Security Department to award grants to public non-profit organizations to provide employment and training for young adults.
Locke said involving private companies and non-profits in providing employment opportunities for young people is key to providing them with the experience and skills they will need to compete in a competitive workforce.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 27, 1997
Contact: Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136
Locke's plan opens doors to higher education
OLYMPIA - Gov. Gary Locke announced his financial plan for higher education today that includes funding to increase enrollment by 6,310 full-time students and boosts financial aid to families with moderate incomes. This reflects his commitment to expand educational opportunities at Washington State's universities and community and technical colleges.The Governor's proposed $2.9 billion operating budget for state colleges and universities is coupled with an aggressive $538 million branch-campus construction plan to create space for 14,382 additional students over the next ten years.
"This is not just a two-year proposal," said Locke, who plans to release his complete 1997-99 budget recommendations next week. "It takes the first step in a long-range plan to expand education opportunities into the 21st century."
Recognizing that cost is a major factor for any family member pursuing a higher education, the Governor proposes tying future tuition rates to an affordability index which reflects changes in per capita personal income. His budget proposal also includes an additional $30 million to extend financial aid to 6,000 more students, and includes $1.2 million for scholarships awarded under the Washington Scholars Program and the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence.
Locke said his proposal is designed to meet growing public demand for access to higher education, which is expected to rise sharply over the next ten years as the "baby boom echo" generation reaches college age. In addition, a growing number of people who have lost their jobs are seeking retraining to prepare for future job opportunities.
To respond to these demands, the Governor's financial plan includes $25.5 million to expand regular student enrollment over the next two years, and would funnel $76.9 million into the Employment and Training Trust Fund to support 7,200 student enrollments for dislocated and unemployed workers in each year of the coming biennium.
To help provide welfare recipients with basic skills, work experience, and job-specific training, the Governor's budget includes $7.9 million in funding to expand work-based learning programs at community and technical colleges by 1,200 full-time students over the biennium.
"My budget proposal lays out a long-range plan that meets the demand to accommodate more students in our state's higher education institutions," Locke said. "It also incorporates the goals of my WorkFirst welfare reform proposal by providing welfare recipients with job-specific skills to obtain work."
Lack of salary increases in recent years have made Washington's faculty prime targets for competitive offers from colleges and universities in other states. In response, Gov. Locke is proposing a long-term plan to increase faculty salaries to a more competitive level. It also holds public universities accountable for ensuring these funds lead to measurable improvements in quality.
Locke also has taken steps to improve instructional efficiency by redirecting $17.5 million in base funding for state colleges and universities into an "efficiency pool" that will be used to improve student graduation rates and improve coordination with two-year colleges.
To increase training and employment opportunities for young people, the Governor includes $1.4 million in his budget to provide for an additional 140 youths to be enrolled in community service projects sponsored by the Washington Service Corps. In addition, he has included funding to develop a new Washington Youthbuilt program which would allow the Employment Security Department to award grants to public non-profit organizations to provide employment and training for young adults.
Locke said involving private companies and non-profits in providing employment opportunities for young people is key to providing them with the experience and skills they will need to compete in a competitive workforce.
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