Evaluation, budget updates from Olympia

EVALUATION BILL ADVANCES

The House Education Committee passed ESSB 5895 out of committee today. It passed the Senate last week, 46-3. Bill analysis.
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BUDGET NEWS
Revenue Forecast: Up $96 million — good news for lawmakers
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House budget expected next week; Senate budget shortly thereafter
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Alternative House budget released


Highlights:

• Closes three tax exemptions
• Includes alternative education budget proposed earlier (HB 2770) that keeps 180-day school year and levy equalization.
• Trims benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (funds 48 months, down from 60)
• Trims subsidized child care for family of four making less than $30,657 per year (133 percent of federal poverty level reduced from 175 percent).
• Reduces TANF monthly cash grant by 5 percent
• Maintains current caseload ratios for Child Protective Service workers; funding for family reconciliation services.
• Trims by 10 percent funding for Behavioral Rehabilitative Services and Child Placement case management fees.
• Institutes 24 furlough days for all state employees, except critical services

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EARLY LEARNING UPDATE
HB 2448/Creating High Quality Early Learning Act is on hold for this year -- focus moves to workgroups during the interim. In particular, a birth to age 3 workgroup.
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INNOVATION AND CLOSING THE GAPS
Great Lighthouse STEM program highlighted in 2/17/2012 House Education hearing. Presentation link here, but it is more interesting to listen to school staff discuss their work (access via TVW archives, www.tvw.org)