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WSAC approves consent agenda, hears budget outlook amid state deficit
Summary
The Washington Student Achievement Council approved routine items and received briefings on a state budget shortfall projected at more than $12 billion and proposed cuts to WSAC funding ahead of the 2025–27 biennial budget process.
The Washington Student Achievement Council convened Jan. 28 at The Evergreen State College and approved the consent agenda and November meeting minutes, with motions made, seconded and recorded as carried.
Council members then turned to the fiscal outlook for 2025–27. Joel Anderson, presenting the strategic budget and council priorities, said the state is facing a budget deficit “more than 12 billion dollars,” with some estimates of up to $16 billion over the next four years. Anderson told the council that the Office of Financial Management has asked agencies to proposal six percent reductions as part of a budget exercise and that WSAC has proposed cuts to ongoing funding while also submitting three bills to the Governor’s office.
The presentation outlined that the shortfall stems from lower-than-expected revenues, increased entitlement caseloads, and the end of pandemic-era federal relief that had previously supported some programs. Council members asked whether the Governor’s office will maintain prior supports; Anderson responded that recommendations and differences between the Governor’s budget and WSAC requests remain in flux as the budget moves through the Legislature.
The meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
