House passes levy bill; now we need the Legislature to approve a final ‘clean’ bill
Saturday morning around 5:15, the state House of Representative passed much-needed school levy legislation – just hours after the Senate approved a similar bill.
Substitute House Bill 2140 would restore local school levy flexibility by increasing the amount districts can raise through local voter-approved levies, including the option of moving to a percentage-based formula. It also increases local effort assistance (aka, state levy equalization). SHB 2140 is WEA’s preferred levy bill.
The Washington state Senate passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5313 Friday night. The Senate bill restores levy flexibility but doesn’t include the percentage formula in the House bill, and it was amended to provide state funding for charter and tribal compact schools.
Now the House bill is expected to go to the Senate, and the Senate bill will go to the House. Both bodies need to approve the same version of the bill before the Legislature ends Sunday, April 28.
Local voter-approved school levies fund additional teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, art, music and other student needs beyond state-funded basic education. Two years ago, legislators voted to restrict school levies, which is limiting school district’s ability to meet student needs beyond state-funded basic education. Restoring levy flexibility is a top WEA legislative priority.
