An historic breakthrough for our schools and our children’s futures

The Senate made dramatic progress this week with the passage of House Joint Resolution 4204, which will give voters the opportunity to choose whether Washington should abandon the longstanding 60 percent supermajority requirement to pass school levies in favor of a simple majority, or one vote more than 50 percent. There are three important things to keep in mind. First, the supermajority was devised during the Great Depression and enacted in 1944, in a much darker financial climate; in the decades since then, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with the cost of maintaining our schools. Second, the ability of 41 percent of voters to frustrate the will of 59 percent puts the majority at the mercy of the minority, hardly in keeping with our democratic roots. Third, since this measure would modify the state constitution, it will become law only if approved by the voters.

Even more important is what this legislation means in real terms. It invests in our children by helping our schools to provide better education and to prepare students to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. I can imagine no better investment in our families and in our communities’ future.

Senate budget addresses state’s educational needs

Since education was one of my top priorities in coming to the Senate, I was very pleased to see that priority shared by my colleagues. The operating and capital budgets proposed by the Senate address urgent needs across the board.

For teacher pay and recruitment, the operating budget provides:

• $379 million for teacher, administrator and staff cost-of-living raises;
• $9.9 million to fund $5,000 annual bonuses for National Board-certified teachers, and extra $5,000 bonuses for teachers in high-poverty schools;
• $13.1 million for continuing education for math and science teachers; and
• $6.6 million to hire more math, science, special education and English as a Second Language teachers.

For K-12 education, the capital budget provides:

• $882 million to construct and repair schools and skills centers;
• $139.9 million to reduce class sizes;
• $41.7 million to phase in all-day kindergarten;
• $80.2 million in increased funding for special education programs;
• $17.5 million to upgrade skills centers equipment and class offerings;
• $24.8 million to upgrade technology resources in K-12 schools;
• $12.1 million to help students meet standard on all WASL subjects; and
• $3.4 million to revamp science standards and curriculum (a similar effort in math is already under way).

For early learning, the operating budget provides:

• $29.6 million to expand access to early learning programs.

For higher education, the budgets provide:

• $110 million to increase enrollment at public colleges and universities by 10,000 students during the next two years;
• $70 million to increase college financial aid and scholarships; and
• $1.1 billion to construct or renovate college and university facilities.

Senate negotiators are meeting with negotiators from the House to hammer out the differences in their budgets. We will have final budgets to vote on within days, and from there the budgets will go to the governor.

E-newsletters help us save money on legislative updates

One great aspect of electronic newsletters is they cost nothing to circulate, unlike the traditional paper newsletters mailed out each session. If you would like to receive an electronic version of my final session report, instead of a paper one, e-mail Barb Bumann, my legislative assistant, at bumann.barb@leg.wa.gov.

Call or write anytime

I hope you find this update helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact my office with questions or concerns, whether they involve bills before the Legislature or topics you feel are being overlooked. If you have a concern, I want to hear it. You can reach me by e-mail at marr.chris@leg.wa.gov or by phone at 360-786-7610.

Return to Sen. Marr's home page