Elimination of some WSU ag research programs possible
Washington Ag Today January 19, 2010 Washington State University could take a seven percent budget reduction for the remainder of the current biennium because of the deficit Washington faces. At a meeting last week the Washington Grain Commission heard by video conference from Ralph Cavalieri, who heads up WSU’s Ag Research Center, what the impact on ag research might be. Commission chairman Dana Herron sums up the situation and what Cavalieri said. Herron: “There is not a meat left on the bone. I do expect this to be a painful process. Obviously when you cut programs it is difficult. I would not rule out vertical cuts in some of their programs, total elimination. Ralph told us it will very from zero to 100%. I understand the other states are suffering under very similar circumstances so it is just a very tough time region wide.” Cavalieri said the Ag Research Center could see a one million dollar a year reduction based on a university wide spending cut of seven percent. He said the situation also depends on where state lawmakers allow WSU to make any new spending reductions that may be required. In the past legislative language has put instructional, or teaching, programs off limits to cuts. The 13th Annual Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Conference is this week. The event is Wednesday and Thursday, January 20th and 21st at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick, Washington. I’m Bob Hoff and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Northwest Ag Information Network.
