Ferguson's Proposed Cuts to Higher Education

Governor Ferguson has proposed drastic cuts to Washington's higher education system in a misguided attempt to balance the state's $12 billion budget shortfall.

The proposals coming out of the Governor's Office are just that -- proposals. The House and the Senate will release their proposed budgets the week of March 24.

Our elected officials need to hear from as many of us as possible to encourage them to maximize the amount of new revenue from the rich who are not paying their fair share and minimize the cuts to the folks who keep this state running. 

Send a message to your elected officials here to speak out against harmful cuts. 

Ferguson's Proposed Cuts 

Our state has one of the best-educated workforces. That makes Washington a draw for cutting-edge industries to come here and create jobs.

Our state's universities and community colleges make our economy more resilient, providing pathways for people to learn new skills, embrace careers, and reenter the workforce.

The Governor's proposed cuts could rob Washingtonians of these opportunities and undercut our state's economic future.

If these cuts are implemented by the legislature, the colleges will decide how to make those cuts. Furloughs would theoretically be on the table. 

  • Community Colleges - Reduction of 3% to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Ferguson has been relatively silent on cuts to our community colleges so we will need to see what the legislature proposes when the House and Senate budgets are released the week of March 24

  • CWU - Reduce $2,000,000- compensation and central services support

  • EWU - Reduce $2,000,000- compensation and central services support
  • UW - Reduce $33,758,000- target reduction from UW general fund
  • TESC - Reduce $1,000,000- compensation and central services support
  • WSU - Reduce $20,823,000- target reduction from WSU general fund
  • WWU - Reduce $4,000,000- compensation and central services support

Summary Document

Line by Line Reductions