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State budget leaves community colleges flat; board warns colleges will shoulder compensation costs
Summary
The governor's 2026 supplemental operating proposal includes no new investments for community and technical colleges, leaving colleges to cover portions of wage increases from tuition or local funds; capital bond capacity was routed largely to housing and human services, and Cascadia Community College did not receive full construction funding.
The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges on Thursday reviewed Governor Jay Inslee's 2026 supplemental budget, which "includes no new investments for community and technical colleges," Stephanie Winter, director for operating budget, told the board.
Winter said the governor's proposal combines modest base reductions, including an across‑the‑board 1.5% cut and administrative services adjustments totaling $19,400,000, with maintenance‑level increases that together leave system funding largely flat. She added that projected compensation increases for fiscal year 2027 (about 2.7% for faculty and 2% for…
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