Sen. Matt Boehnke, R-Kennewick/Credit: Washington State Senate
OLYMPIA… Legislation from Sen. Matt Boehnke aimed at improving access to education was endorsed today by the state Senate’s higher-education committee.
Committee members, who include Boehnke, supported two of his bills. One is Senate Bill 5542, to accommodate more enrollment in high-school completion programs at community and technical colleges; the second is Senate Bill 5543, which would expand eligibility for College Bound scholarships.
“While we need to be thoughtful from a budget standpoint about how and when the eligibility for financial assistance is expanded, I am also interested in removing barriers to education,” said Boehnke, R-Kennewick. “By offering a new level of fairness and equity, these bills would also offer new opportunities to prospective students across our state, particularly in the 8th District.”
Both of Boehnke’s measures have bipartisan sponsorship and were introduced in cooperation with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Their next stop is the Senate Ways and Means and Rules Committees, both of which Boehnke also serves.
SB 5543 would add those who receive a high-school equivalency certificate to the eligibility list for College Bound scholarships.
“Not every student learns the same way and a lot of kids find success in different types of learning environments. Smaller classes, a more fluid learning pace, and online access work really well for some students,” Boehnke explained. “This bill gives these kids better access to more scholarships to continue their learning journey.”
SB 5542 would eliminate the requirement that a student be 19 years of age or older to be eligible for a High School Completion Program tuition and fee waiver.
Boehnke has two other bills before the higher-ed committee. SB 5618 would create more transparency by requiring colleges and universities to post admissions information and data.
Senate Bill 5619 would establish minimum enrollment thresholds for in-state students so that Washington residents face less competition from out-of-state applicants for enrollment slots at the state’s public universities. The bill would require state and regional colleges and universities to have Washington residents comprise 75% of their fall first-year student enrollment.
“I’d like to encourage constituents to reach out the committee chairs and voice their support for these bills,” Boehnke said.
June Robinson is the chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and can be reached at (360) 786=7674 or email at June.Robinson@leg.wa.gov. Lt. Governor Denny Heck is the chair of the Senate Rules Committee and can be reached at (360) 786-7000 or email at ltgov@ltgov.wa.gov.
The Senate’s policy committees, including the higher-education committee, have a Feb. 21 deadline for taking action on bills; only legislation related to the budget may remain under consideration through the April 27 end of the session.
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