Sine Die: WSU’s Legislative Wins
Last week, Washington’s legislature adjourned, concluding a truly remarkable 2020/2021 session. Massive challenges presented by COVID-19 forced our lawmakers in Olympia (and those convening remotely) to find new ways to get the job done.
Even with these challenges, the legislators produced exciting results, particularly for higher education in general and WSU in particular.
Highlights include:
$52.6 million to fund the construction of the Life Sciences Building at WSU Vancouver, a much-needed science and research facility.
$15 million to design and renovate the Spokane Phase One Building.
$8 million to remove Johnson Hall and make space for the construction of a new USDA building
$4.9 million to design and renovate the Clark Hall Research Lab
$656,000 for maintenance and operation of the new WSU Tri-Cities academic building.
$2.1 million for the Washington Soil Health Initiative.
$2.5 million to renovate aging STEM teaching labs.
$500,000 to predesign a new Sciences Building.
We thank everyone who took part in this year’s session. Your consideration and careful planning will help ensure that WSU can continue its mission of making higher ed more accessible, inclusive, and complementary to our surrounding communities.
