Updated: Statements from lawmakers on the ruling that they’re failing to pay for basic education

From Gov. Chris Gregoire:
“Improving the quality of our schools and the education system has been, and remains, the top priority of our state.  I agree with the court that we have a duty to provide a high quality education to our children.
Working with my staff and the Attorney General’s Office, I will be reviewing this decision to determine where we go from here.
Last year we passed significant legislation that would institute major funding reforms to ensure the necessary resources and programs to help every student succeed.  That work must continue.

Regardless of whether this decision is upheld, I will continue working with the legislature to improve school accountability, close the achievement gap and ensure we provide our children opportunities for success in the global marketplace in which they will be competing. The legislative process is the best avenue we have available to determine those components.

Right now there is legislation being considered that would reform our education system.  In light of this decision, I think it’s even more important that we pass these proposals that will put us in a better position to improve educational opportunities for every student in our state.”

Rep. Ross Hunter:
“Today’s court ruling doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know – the Legislature is not giving schools the money they need to provide the quality of education we want. This issue is why I ran for the Legislature in 2002 and it remains my top priority to this day.”
We took an historic step forward last session when we passed House Bill 2261. We expanded the definition of basic education and committed ourselves to reworking the funding formula to make sure lawmakers pay for it. We made students and student success the basis of our new funding approach. I’ve said all along that when our children graduate from high school they should be prepared for jobs that don’t require paper hats. Clearly the courts agree.
I don’t think the state should waste money appealing this decision. It lights a much-needed fire under legislators to put education funding first.”

From Rep. Skip Priest:
“Judge Erlick made a compelling and thoughtful case that confirms what many of us already knew – it is time for the governor and Legislature to quit talking and take action. The ruling against the state is a signal that reaffirms education is the ‘paramount duty’ of the state as outlined in Article IX of Washington State’s Constitution. Over the past 30 years, the Legislature has continually taken the air out of the balloon when it comes to education funding, and now the bill has come due.
“I believe ‘all means all’ when it comes to educating our children. For the past four to five years, Rep. Pat Sullivan and I, along with other colleagues in the House, have worked to base our education policies on commonsense, research and the Constitution. Today’s ruling is a good reminder it is past-time for the Legislature to put these principles into action.
“The judge was right that we have studied this issue to death while children’s lives were held in the balance. There is now no clearer charge for the governor and Legislature to create a thoughtful and research-based approach that meets the needs of our children and fulfills our constitutional mandate.
“This is not all about money – it is about our responsibility to ensure every taxpayer dollar is spent wisely in the area of education. The state simply cannot continue to push unfunded mandates onto school districts, which is hurting our local taxpayers.
“My hope is this decision will force action on long-overdue reforms that delve into what a ‘basic education’ is for children today. Times have changed and our children need to be prepared for the new and developing technology jobs, and our classrooms need to be geared to support the needs of students to be competitive in Washington’s job market and globally.”

Tags: basic education