2026 Legislative Session Results: Advocacy Made the Difference

The Washington State Legislature has released its final budgets, and the outcomes for the University of Washington are far better than many expected given the state’s significant budget shortfall.

Throughout the session, UW Impact advocates spoke up for students and critical services across our state. That advocacy mattered. Together, we helped prevent major reductions and protect key investments in higher education.

Operating Budget

Despite early proposals that included significant reductions, the final operating budget largely protects the University of Washington.

Instead of the $19 million in cuts proposed in the Governor’s budget, the Legislature used internal budget shifts to avoid major reductions to the UW. The university will see only a $1.2 million administrative reduction, consistent with cuts applied to other two- and four-year institutions and half the level applied to most other state agencies.

The Legislature also provided continued investment in the Center for Behavioral Health and Learning, funding the center at $15 million per year on an ongoing basis. This support will help train the next generation of mental health professionals and expand access to behavioral health services across Washington.

Protecting Care for Washington’s Most Vulnerable

In the final week of the legislative session, UW Impact advocates mobilized quickly in support of SB 5981, legislation protecting the federal discount drug purchasing program that hospitals rely on to serve vulnerable patients.

Thanks to a last-minute push from UW Impact advocates across the state, nearly 500 emails were sent to legislators urging support for the bill. The legislation ultimately passed, helping preserve an estimated $85 million for UW Medicine, which uses these savings to provide care to patients most in need throughout Washington.

Capital Budget Investments

The Legislature also funded a critical infrastructure request from the University of Washington.

Lawmakers approved $47.5 million for phase one of the modernization of UW’s 100-year-old power plant and campus energy systems. This investment will help prevent maintenance disruptions, reduce carbon emissions, and avoid millions of dollars in potential city and state fines in the coming years.

Advocacy in Action

While even small reductions are difficult, these outcomes are widely viewed as the best possible result given the current economic climate.

Advocacy from District Dawgs, UW Impact Student Advocates, and hundreds of UW supporters across the state helped ensure legislators understood the real impacts of their budget decisions. Your voices made a difference!