News

Higher Ed Chat with Rep. Larry Seaquist

I’d like to invite you to a Live Chat session I’ll be hosting on Monday, March 18 from noon to 1 p.m. The focus of this chat session will be higher education, so I’d like to have a dialogue with … Continue reading →

Rep. Larry Seaquist and Sen. Nathan Schlicher will host a series of town hall meetings on Saturday, March 16 for residents of the 26th Legislative District. Schlicher and Seaquist will discuss the issues important to the 26th district. The legislators … Continue reading →

Automatic federal budget cuts kicked in on Friday as a result of Congress’ failure to reach a compromise spending plan. While programs like Social Security and Medicare will largely go untouched, many other areas of federal spending could see spending … Continue reading →

The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee approved Rep. Larry Seaquist’s (D-Gig Harbor) HB 1894, which would address some concerns with shellfish farming. “I’m focused on three ‘healthies’ – a healthy shellfish industry, a healthy Puget Sound to grow shellfish, … Continue reading →

A new report from the state actuary illustrates how the state’s Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) program, which currently has a projected $631 million unfunded liability, can move quickly from red to black. The report, and subsequent testimony from State Treasurer … Continue reading →

Lowering the costs of a college education and easing the burden of student debt are two top legislative priorities for Representative Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor), chair of the House Higher Education Committee. Rep. Seaquist wants to hear from students who … Continue reading →

By Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) and Rep. Larry Haler (R-Richland) Right now, leadership and budget writers from all four caucuses and the governor’s office are negotiating a final supplemental operating budget. Unfortunately, disagreements over the best ways to fund … Continue reading →

Olympia – Responding to years of concern by the Washington business community, the House passed a bill that would completely overhaul the management of the state’s higher education system of six public universities and 34 community and technical colleges. House … Continue reading →

Olympia – Two bills sponsored by Rep. Larry Seaquist (D-Gig Harbor) aimed at improving the state’s college and university system were approved by the House Higher Education Committee on Monday. House Bill 2717 encourages the state’s public four-year colleges and … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – A package of bills signed into law today will help the state and its higher education system to continue providing quality education under ongoing state budget cuts. Rep. Reuven Carlyle, D-Seattle, is the prime sponsor of House Bill … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – The Legislature has passed a comprehensive higher education bill focused on keeping quality and access high, while also addressing reduced support from the state due to ongoing budget cuts. Under House Bill 1795, significant increases in financial aid … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – Responding to the state’s urgent need for replacement boats for its over-aged ferry fleet, Rep. Larry Seaquist says the state can dramatically stretch the ferry system’s dollar by accepting an offer by Tacoma’s J.M. Martinac shipbuilding company. Seaquist, … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA – Lawmakers in the House passed a reform bill this week that would require Washington State Ferries to meet a series of performance measures. The legislation aims to draw clear expectations for ferry system management, which if not met, … Continue reading →

OLYMPIA—State Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney is calling on lawmakers to embrace a new kind of competency-based online university that would enable full-time workers, dislocated workers and other underserved adult learners earn college degrees in high-demand fields. On Feb. 26, the … Continue reading →