Change to SB 6195

Senate Republicans in the education committee voted out SB 6195 with significant changes. This is the bill that creates a framework for a final funding solution to McCleary. All four Senate Democrats voted against.

The changes include increasing the number of task force legislators who must agree with any recommendations that are to be forwarded to the 2017 legislature from 5 to 6.

Perhaps of more concern is the change which requires legislative action on local levies and levy assistance sometime in 2018. The original bill had action in 2017. The change includes  addressing the scheduled reductions in school district levy authority scheduled to roll back January 1, 2018. School districts have testified that the levy cliff must be addressed this session to avoid widespread school employee layoffs for the 2017-18 school year. 

Marie Sullivan

WSPTA Legislative Consultant