$4.47 million cut: Governor announces second round of budget cuts

PULLMAN – Gov. Christine Gregoire on Nov. 25 directed WSU to further reduce its current fiscal year expenditures by nearly $4.5 million as part of a statewide effort to achieve an additional $260 million in spending reductions by state government agencies and higher education.
 
WSU President Elson S. Floyd said that he is keenly aware of the projected revenue shortfall anticipated within state government and agrees with Gregoire’s recent statement that all agencies of state government must step forward to assist in meeting the state’s current financial challenge.
 
“I will ask our academic and administrative leadership to immediately begin reviewing possible actions to achieve this latest directive by the governor,” said Floyd. “I am confident that we will find the means to achieve our latest goal while minimizing the impact on our students and faculty.”
 
The latest round of targeted reductions comes in the wake of an earlier $6 million cut in expenses by WSU in response to a state directive received in October. At that time, President Floyd said WSU would continue to control and contain expenditures and will do its part to help the state address the budget challenges. He had directed university leadership back in April to slow hiring and reduce other expenses in anticipation of a possible economic downturn. 
 
“We will continue to do our best to serve the needs of the citizens of the state of Washington,” Floyd said.
 
WSU’s total state allocation is $254 million.