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Leaders open to accountability bills, say they'll review WSU funding request
Summary
Leaders said they would review accountability bills prompted by recent revelations involving nonprofit recipients of public funds and that Washington State University's $4,700,000 request to fund student-worker collective-bargaining agreements will be evaluated alongside other negotiated agreements and budget constraints.
Reporters asked whether leadership would consider accountability bills from Sen. Braun and Rep. Couture intended to strengthen oversight of public funds after disclosures involving the Tacoma and Seattle Urban League. Leaders said they had not yet seen the specific bills but are willing to review measures that improve systems and prevent self-dealing.
Leaders pointed to existing state systems that detect fraud—citing one ESD investigation identifying a company filing for benefits fraudulently in Pasco—as evidence that oversight mechanisms exist but can be improved. They said state government must be vigilant about taxpayer dollars and that any proposals to tighten accountability deserve examination in committee.
On a separate budget item, reporters noted Washington State University's request for $4,700,000 to fund student-worker collective-bargaining agreements omitted from last biennium's budget. Leaders said funding negotiated agreements is generally a priority for the budgeting process but they had not yet reviewed the WSU request in detail.
