Government Relations
Learn about Bellevue College's legislative outreach and priorities.
About
Government relations at Bellevue College means the promotion of higher education policy and budget priorities in coordination with the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. Legislative outreach includes all elected officials whose constituents learn, work, and play at Bellevue College. From cities of Bellevue and Issaquah to U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, plus six legislative districts represented in Olympia, we educate and inform all parties about legislation, initiatives, and opportunities. This includes educating the campus community about legislation affecting Bellevue College. We offer tours of campus, engagement with faculty members, and inclusion of student organizations and interest groups as a component of our advocacy.
The office of the president advocates for Bellevue College’s state priorities to the Legislature and Governor in Olympia. These priorities are shared by the SBCTC and all 34 community and technical colleges across Washington state.
The office of the president advocates for Bellevue College’s federal priorities to Washington’s congressional delegation, and utilizes the board of trustees, administrators, and national groups to help set federal priorities.
American Association of Community Colleges | Legislative Agenda
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Legislative Updates
Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5998, including vetoes, on April 1, 2026. This is the operating budget for Washington State, and most references to higher education and the community college system can be found starting in section 601, on page 474.
- This legislative session ended March 12, 2026. Among updates and changes to date, Running Start legislation has moved forward: Find updates to ESSB 6260 at leg.wa.gov.
- Friday, March 6, 2026 was the deadline for non-budget bills to pass. Members of the college community had their voices heard via in-person, remote, or written testimony. For example, ESSB 6260 Public education funding, had a House Appropriations hearing at 8 AM Thursday March 5, 2026. ESSB 6260 concerns the summer Running Start reductions proposed for 2026-2027 onward.
- A public hearing for SB 6260 on TVW.org was scheduled for February 19, 2026 at 4:00 PM. Known as Implementing Efficiencies and Programming Changes in Public Education, this is a bill that, if passed, would reduce Running Start reimbursements, primarily for summer quarter enrollment.
Learn more about Senate Bill 6260
Senate Bill 6260 proposes reducing the summer Running Start full-time equivalent (FTE) cap from 1.4 to 1.2. This change would affect how Running Start participation is counted and funded across Washington.
Statewide leaders have weighed in on the proposal. A recent Seattle Times op-ed from the executive director of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the superintendent of public instruction outlines broader concerns about summer access and completion: Seattle Times: Don’t let WA’s Running Start summer program stall.
At Bellevue College, the projected impact would be significant. Based on current enrollment patterns, SB 6260 would reduce Running Start participation by approximately 15,000 credits annually, or roughly 300 full-time equivalent students. These figures are specific to Bellevue College.
At this scale, a reduction would likely affect summer access and course sequencing for some students, potentially extending time to completion or transfer and increasing overall cost.
Systemwide data show that 41 percent of Running Start students come from low-income backgrounds and 48 percent identify as students of color. While those percentages reflect statewide participation, they underscore the equity implications of changes to summer access.
Bellevue College does not set Running Start policy. Our responsibility is to provide clear information about how proposed legislative changes would translate into impacts for our students and programs. We will continue to monitor the legislation and share updates as appropriate.
- February 4, 2026 was the Policy Committee Cutoff, the last day to read in committee reports in house of origin. For Bellevue College, this means several bills may move forward from the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Committee (i.e. Running Start legislation), House Postsecondary & Workforce (financial aid, Opportunity Scholarship and other legislation), and the Senate Higher Education & Workforce Development (COLAs) and to the Joint Higher Education Committee. Legislation moving forward to House Appropriations and Senate Ways & Means was considered, reconciled, and presented to Governor Ferguson in early March. Bellevue College advocacy and information sharing has focused on the positive impacts of Summer Running Start, the challenges of unfunded COLAs, and the opportunities for increased students scholarships and career preparation.
- Lawmakers discussed Gov. Furguson’s operating budget proposal and college system leaders testified on its impacts to Washington’s colleges. For more information: SBCTC Legislative News: January 16, 2026
- The Washington State Senate and House of Representatives opened on January 12, 2026, for a 60-day session. On January 13, 2026, Governor Bob Ferguson gave his State of the State Address to a joint session of the legislature. Recordings can be found at TVW.org. During this short legislative session, supplemental budget proposals will be considered, as well as a host of bills proposed by legislators from around the state. Bellevue College, as part of the 34-community and technical college system, is represented by the SBTCTC, and all the presidents and chancellors of CTCs are briefed weekly during session.
- Bellevue College’s president, Dr. David May, attended meetings with legislators in January and February in Olympia to advocate for all community and technical colleges and share Bellevue College student stories and successes we are most proud of. If you have a student, staff, or faculty success or impact story to share with our elected officials, contact Lori Keller, and she will work with you on the next steps.
- Dr. May met in person with nearly all of community college district VIII senators and representatives in 2025, in their home districts and in Olympia.
Election Information
Contact
Lori McRea Keller, Director, Policy & Government Relations
(425) 564-6155
All Washington State agencies must keep records concerning their lobbying activity. If you are a BC employee, and you have questions about lobbying or have contact with state elected officials, please reach out to the Director of Policy & Government Relations.