Many have heard of the Federal government shutting down due to lack of agreeing on the budget. This time it is our Washington State government that is pending a partial shut down if they do not reach an agreement by June 30th. This will be affecting up to 26,000 workers across the state. Even places like Joint Base Lewis McChord  and Emerald Downs will be affected.

Choi Halladay send out an email recently to the staff on campus.

“Dear Colleagues:

You may have seen news stories regarding the State Legislature still not having a new state budget for the 2015-2017 biennium. If no budget is passed and implemented prior to July 1, 2015, then many state agencies will have to shut down on July 1; those agencies that shut down will place all non-essential personnel on furlough (Temporary Layoff) and not pay them during the shutdown.

As the Chancellor has indicated before, Pierce College, along with all the other community colleges, will not be shutting down on July 1, no matter the result of the legislative process. We will be open for business as usual for all of Summer Quarter, and all employees will continue in their normal summer schedules, with normal pay, just like any other year.

I know that the legislature’s lack of resolution on a state budget can be worrisome. Hopefully they will come to a conclusion soon so we can continue our work serving the community into 2016 and beyond.

—Choi Halladay”

Good news. We get to go to school. Bad news. We don’t get a longer vacation.