Hi folks,
The
E-Wire has had a rough week trying to keep priority PTA Bills in play down in
Olympia. Veteran lobbyist, Nick Federici, described the situation concerning
several of these bills as “Schroedinger’s Cat” Bills. Dead, yet alive at
the same time. For the most part, we consider most of these priorities
very much alive and their ability to remain so at the waning hours of the
session depend on PTA members burning up the wires telling their legislators to
keep moving ahead on these issues.
This is
where we are at so far:
CTE - Alive, and not subject to Cut-off.
The House Bill is in the Senate, but is not likely to move anywhere. The
Senate Bill is part of SB 6552.
Breakfast – now likely dead, but it is still in the
House Budget. It is not subject to cut-off, but unless there is agreement
in the Majority Caucus, it will not be passed this session.
Rural
Schools -
Endangered, but still alive and not likely subject to today's cut-off being
that it is in the House Budget.
Omnibus
Education -
Endangered, but still alive. It is rumored that the legislature has
embraced an amendment offered by Representative Sam Hunt. Information
from the striker is listed below.
Foster
Care Expansion - in
Senate - Alive, and currently in the Senate. It is a budget item, so not likely
subject to cut-off.
Capital
Budget - Funding
School Construction – there are competing bills to address some of the needs
this year. Their likelihood of passage is unclear at this writing. We report on them below.
If
you are reading this – and have not contacted your legislator this year – you
need to – we’re close to hitting the mark on most of the bills we prioritized
this year and, hey, we’re greedy for kids – let’s get them all out!
On
another note, earlier this week in the Ways and Means Committee, Senate bill
5881 was heard which would require 2/3rds of all new revenue over the next
decade be dedicated to Education. What makes this different than a
similar proposal (Prop 40) in California is that Early Learning and Higher
Education is included in the mix. At the hearing today, UW and WSU came
out in force in support of the bill as did the Washington Roundtable, some
corporate organizations, and Dave Powell from Stand for Children indicated that
the goals were consistent with their values. This is a top five goal for
the PTA (Fund Education First) – so we are watching it closely.
The WA
State Budget and Policy Center (BPC) sounded off in opposition citing revenue
growth will not even cover what we do now. Part of the challenges with
this bill is that new revenue is also needed to meet our existing
obligations. There are questions as to if we can make any further cuts
without violating constitutional requirements, meeting lawsuit requirements
*there are others out there besides McCleary*, etc. There info-graphic on
the issue is here.
In addition to the BPC, the State Poverty Action Network, AARP, and SEIU 925
registered their opposition as well. They cited concerns about preserving
the social safety net that includes many of the children in school as well as a
memorable line from AARP “Don’t rob Peter to pay Paul where Peter is my son and
Paul is my husband.” All asked to address the “dysfunctional tax system”
we live under in Washington.
The
other big hearing was on the brewing battle between the State Senate and House
on how best to raise three quarters of a billion dollars for capital
improvements to schools in the run up to fully funding basic education.
SB 6483 would fund a grant program for school districts to address all-day
kindergarten, STEM, and start looking at K-3 by providing OSPI resources to
complete the inventory of Education Facilities to get a grasp on the total size
of the problem. Unlike the House Version, they would not be issued
against the Lottery but would be able to go out under a much lower rate and not
affect the State’s bond rating. The Senate proposal funds the changes
within the State’s debt limit and would issue General Obligation Bonds to tune
of $825 million dollars – this issuance would result in up to 1.5% lower
interest rate – dollars that could be used elsewhere in the system for
education. The State Treasurer was involved in the design of the proposal
and testified in favor during committee. The one caveat in the House
proposal that we do like, FYI, is that there is not a match required.
Many school districts are struggling to pass bond measures, but the kids will
still come. Hopefully, the final version will include this provision - that is provided the legislature chooses to act on this critical issue this session. Word on the street is they may not.
We have 36 hours to find out.
This cycle, the Washington State PTA has sent thousands of e-mails to their Senators and
House members urging serious movement on McCleary. We’re doing our part, and it is being noticed by
legislators and lobbyists in and outside the education community.
Oh, and
the Hunt Striker on the Omnibus Education Reform Act? Right
here. Scroll down for the executive summary.
On to the E-Wire!!
This is why
the state needs to fund basic education – it cannot be done by varying property
tax levies alone. This is a helpful property tax levy FYI.
On the subject of funding, Inslee
to Media on McCleary – maybe
later? One more thing. This Editorial
from the Spokesman Review indicates the challenges of moving forward on
McCleary. Not everyone agrees – go figure.
Huh?
So, I
guess the Kansas Legislature DOES
have something better to do.
ELL Literacy
sees a jump with California Instructional Model.
Neal
Kirby hits the nail on the head for rural
funding. Did you see our action alert?!
Everett
Herald Guest Op-Ed on keeping schools open
longer.
A Note
from the Everett Herald on the final version of the Juvenile Court Records Bill.
Colorado
is addressing the Driving While High issue with PSA’s. They are quite good.
What
the next 36
hours will look
like here,
here,
and here.
Speaking
of Capital Improvements, the House on Senate in a jump ball game
for Capital Education Funding.
A look
at Finland’s
Education System.
This is
a good little bill
the PTA was following and is now off to the Governor.
An
Message
to fund Early Learning
The E-Cigarette discussion we all thought would happen sometime
down the line? Happening
now. There is a full debate going on here
where the fight
over vaping
is picking up steam (bad pun, sorry!).
Votes
have consequences…
like tons.
While we are on THAT subject, more
9th Order Madness – the good
news is some movement
has been made on Homeless funding for now.
T/PEP
bill remains a subject
of contention in the House and Senate – and could derail other Education
Initiatives. Inslee
is working
to try and move the bill. Meanwhile, California
eliminates
state tests in favor of the Federal Common Core Aligned Test. In case you
are wondering, this has nothing to do at all with our waiver debate. All the
disagreements between the House, Senate, and Governor on this issue is threatening a special session in
Olympia. Both the Seattle
Times and the Spokesman
Review have weighed in on the issue. There remains some disagreement
on what obtaining or losing the waiver means. Oh, and while we are at it,
Peter Callaghan weighs in on the future
of education reform. Just a reminder, in order to implement reforms, we
need to fund them, too. Oh and speaking of reform… a fascinating read for
you in the Washington Post on where funding comes from for some
education reform ideas.
People
are chiming
in on the budget.
Moving
Above
Common Core and what it may mean
for teacher professional development and how
we teach math. There remains some resistance
to the change, however. There is also some debate on what it will do for civic
education.
The
fear of your
permanent record.
Jeff
Charbonneau speaks
out – speaking of class acts - the Seattle Times asks a veteran
educator 6
questions.
The
State Senate opts for punishing
the Insurance Commissioner, not eliminating the position.
Tacoma
Schools loses an Icon.
Another
PTA supported bill
on Foster Care passes and is off to the Governor.
One
simple answer
to lowering the college opportunity gap. Problem is funding it.
Curtis
King passes
his tanning bill after 5 years of effort.
Sequim’s
All-Day Kindergarten has a hefty
price tag.
Vista
veteran Ken
Miller speaks out on whole child issues – worth a read. This one from
the other side of the mountains is worth
a look as well
And
on the Federal Front – Local
Control and Charter
Schools.
Ok
folks, that is all for now. We are hearing the House and Senate will act
on Education Bills soon!
The E-Wire is created by PTA Legislative Staff and Edited by
Director Sherry Krainick.
No comments:
Post a Comment