SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 5102

                    AS OF FEBRUARY 17, 1993

Brief Description:  Appropriating money for Grays Harbor Community College.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen, Snyder, Hargrove, Bauer, M. Rasmussen, Gaspard, Rinehart, Sutherland and Jesernig; by request of Office of Financial Management

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Linda Brownell (786‑7715)

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1993; February 17, 1993

BACKGROUND:

Grays Harbor County has experienced significantly reduced economic activity and persistent unemployment and underemployment as a result of reductions in annual timber harvest levels.  Recently, the area lost two major employers of timber and wood products workers.  In December 1992, Grays Harbor College received $100,000 to begin training and retraining services to dislocated forest products workers and their unemployed spouses.  This bill extends these services through June 30, 1993.

SUMMARY:

An appropriation of $500,000 from the general fund is given to Grays Harbor College for the biennium ending June 30, 1993 to fund 225 FTE students for winter and spring quarters.

Appropriation: $500,000 general fund-state

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Access to the college is very important.  Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties have been very hard hit by timber employment loss.  Two major employers of timber workers have closed their doors in the last year.

Recent high school graduates can see there will be no forest jobs for them, so more high school graduates are going to Grays Harbor College.  For many students, this is the only hope to get in the door of higher education.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Bob Basich; Dr. Jewell Manspeaker, President, Grays Harbor College; Allan Patresse, student; Eric Stubbs, student; Mike Bigelow, Office of Financial Management