Welcome to Outlook

Welcome to the Washington Education Association's Legislative Outlook, a regular update on what's happening in Olympia. The paper version of Outlook is mailed to every WEA building representative in the state. (If you are a rep, please post Outlook on your WEA bulletin board.) You can subscribe to the e-mail version of Outlook by sending an e-mail to Lyris. Include the words "subscribe weaoutlook" in the body of the message. A printable version of Outlook is available online (Adobe PDF file). Questions? Contact Rich Wood in the WEA Communications Department.

All three budgets include funding for I-728

The House, the Senate and Gov. Chris Gregoire propose funding voter-approved Initiative 728, which provides money for smaller class sizes, professional development and extended learning programs for students. Voters approved the measure by nearly 72 percent in 2000, but the Legislature suspended it in 2003. The budgets would increase I-728 funding to local school districts by about $140 million over the biennium.

"We must continue to invest in our public schools if we want a strong economy and business growth," WEA President Charles Hasse said. "Good schools give our state's students the chance to compete for good jobs in the global, high-tech economy."

Regional COLA supplement bill progresses further than before … but dies

A key compensation bill died this week despite the best efforts of WEA members and staff.

House Bill 1484 would have authorized countywide school levies that would have been used to fund regional COLA supplements for school employees. The high cost of housing in many parts of the state makes it extremely difficult for educators to live in the school districts where they work. Because of high housing costs, some school districts are experiencing dramatic teacher turnover, which affects student learning.

HB 1484 passed the House, but failed in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. By passing the House, the bill progressed further than similar proposals in the past. The Washington State School Directors' Association and the Washington Association of School Administrations both opposed the bill, although some individual school board members and superintendents supported it.

Will the Legislature adjourn on time this session?

Observers predict the Legislature will pass a budget by the end of the regular session, April 24. In previous budget-writing years, special sessions have been common.

"While there are differences between my budget proposal, the Senate plan and the House proposal, I am sure that the Legislature and I can come to an agreement and conclude this session of the Legislature on time," Gov. Chris Gregoire said. "I look forward to working with leaders of both chambers to produce a budget that achieves our goals in education and health care."

Pro Cert bill remains alive with WEA support

A bill improving the professional certification (Pro Cert) program for teachers passed the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the House. WEA supports Senate Bill 5983. A similar House bill was amended and no longer pertains to Pro Cert.

House budget improves slightly on Senate plan

The budget proposed by House Democrats Wednesday restores both Initiative 732 and Initiative 728. I-732 funds annual cost-of-living adjustments for school employees. I-728 funds smaller class sizes for students, extended learning programs and
professional development.

WEA President Charles Hasse

WEA President Charles Hasse said educators support lawmakers' plan to restore the initiatives, and he encouraged them to address other compensation and school funding needs in the final state budget. Investing in quality schools strengthens the economy, improves the business climate and better prepares students for jobs in the global economy, he said.

The House budget funds educators' health benefits at a level that will keep up with increased costs next year. It also is better on pension issues than the previous budget proposals, but still needs improvement in that area. And unlike the Senate budget, the House plan funds annual stipends for teachers who are nationally certified.

All three budget plans fail to make up the salary educators lost due to the two-year suspension of I-732.

Hasse said WEA members remain optimistic that the Legislature will pass Gov. Gregoire's proposal for a comprehensive study of school funding. It would be a positive step toward providing the increased funding our state's public schools need, he said.

Capital budget plan a boon for public schools

Rep. Hans Dunshee's proposed capital projects budget is very good for public school construction.

His proposal increases the amount of school space allotted per student and increases the funding for that space. In other words, he improves the school construction funding formula.

The total spending for K-12 is nearly $100 million higher than the Senate's and almost $200 million higher than the governor's. In addition, Dunshee also is promoting the "High Performance Buildings" concept (green buildings), which has proven to improve student achievement by providing better learning environments.

Notable quotes

"The Washington Education Association has been urging lawmakers also to include money to pay teachers retroactively for income they lost during the two years since the Legislature suspended Initiative 732, which called for raising teachers' salaries." -- The Seattle Times, 4/7/05

"This will be the most money in K-12 construction in state history.' -- Rep. Hans Dunshee, The Herald, 4/6/05

"It is rare to find legislation that both liberals and conservatives can support, but HB 1484 is one such bill. Liberals should appreciate its capacity to fund the disparity between the cost of living in urban areas and those of rural and Eastern Washington areas. Conservatives should appreciate the fact that voters must first approve the measure at the polls before any tax is levied." -- WEA NewsCrew writer Kenneth Mortland, King County Journal, 4/1/05

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