A longer-term view of higher-ed funding

Washington's universities make great contributions to our state, its citizens and economy by producing educated people, cutting-edge research and commercial opportunity.

But universities' relationship with state funders too often has been inconsistent, as state priorities change with whims of a two-year budget cycle that doesn't sync well with the long-term planning needs of higher-education institutions.Last week, the state House embraced with a 95-2 vote a new budgeting approach that would give universities more independence to manage their long-term plans and minimize legislative micromanaging by purse string. But Engrossed House Bill 2641 would hold universities more accountable for the state money they receive through six-year performance agreements.

The bill brings a longer view to state funding of universities that will help bring more reliability to the state's higher-education funding and more discipline to the Legislature's funding goals.

Does the state need more engineers and nurses? Give the universities the responsibility — and the leeway — to produce them over six years. Hold them accountable if they don't.

This idea may sound familiar. Rep. Fred Jarrett of Mercer Island proposed this approach in the past but had trouble moving his bill out of committee when he was a Republican in a Democrat-controlled Legislature. This page has supported it for several years; a pilot project was included in the state budget four years ago, but the state failed to implement it.

Jarrett switched parties last year, and now this idea is getting the traction it deserves. Already, Senate Higher Education Committee Chairman Paull Shin, D-Edmonds, has set a hearing on the bill for Thursday morning.

The Senate should follow the House's lead on an idea whose time has come.