State budgets meet WSU priorities including new academic building for WSU Tri-Cities

By WSU Government Relations

The Legislature adjourned its 2019 session just before midnight Sunday, having approved budget compromises. Most notably, the Legislature fully funded WSU’s $14.4 million request for core funding to support the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.

The operating budget package completes funding for the College of Medicine’s existing cohorts of 60 students per year as well while also funding first- and second-year instruction for an additional 20 students, allowing the college to admit 80 students this fall. This request was WSU’s top legislative priority.

We are working jointly with the Budget Office on a comprehensive analyst. In the meantime, here is an overview:

Operating budget:

• ESFCOM $14.4 million
• Comp and Central Services Support (Foundational Support) 5.353 million
• Clean energy legislation (WSU Energy Program) $1.411 million
• Maintenance and operations for new buildings FY20 $383,000, FY21 $1.06 million
• Children’s mental health legislation $264,000
• Domestic Violence legislation $173,000
• Opioid overdose medication legislation $53,000
• Soil Health Initiative $500,000

Capital budget:

• $36.4 million to complete construction of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab in Pullman
• $27 million to construct a new academic building at WSU Tri-Cities
• $500,000 for pre-design of a new Biomedical and Health Sciences Building at WSU Spokane
• $10 million to support a land purchase to support future growth at WSU Everett
• $21.4 million for minor works preservation
• $5.328 million for minor works program (MCI & omnibus equipment). Funded for the first time in ten-years

The capital budget agreement did not fund WSU’s $4 million request to design a Life Sciences Building at WSU Vancouver.

In general, this was a very good year for Washington State University in the biennial budget process. We appreciate the support and leadership of the Washington State Legislature.