Education funding debate in the Senate

The Senate is debating a bill to change the way the state funds schools in the future.

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe said passing the bill would be a high note for the end of session. She said schools need more funding and this bill is the way to do it.

Sen. Curtis King said the bill promises funding but doesn’t say where it comes from. He said for those who think Republicans don’t care about education, they’re wrong. He said each year he’s been in the Legislature, he’s heard more empty promises from the past. “There’s no funding.  And there never was any funding,” he said. This bill would commit the state to $9 billion a biennium, he said.

Sen. Cheryl Pflug said “the only thing happening in this year are two new working groups” under the bill. And yet, she said, the Legislature passed a bill a couple hours ago to allow local districts to ask for more local property tax. She said the state doesn’t even have the money it needs now.

The Senate passed the bill. I don’t always post statements, but below is one from McAuliffe that gives some explanation of the deal brokered between the Senate, House and governor over the education bills:

“Gov. Gregoire, and House and Senate leadership negotiated an agreement on two very important K-12 bills that accomplishes the two critical education goals of this legislative session, without sacrificing either.

“As negotiated, House Bill 2776 ensures that funding enhancements to our basic education obligations begin in the 11-13 biennium and are completed by 2018. Without the adoption of HB 2776, the promises we made House Bill 2261, last year’s landmark education reform effort, would be delayed at least another year.

“We anticipate the House will pass Senate Bill 6696 which complements the reform effort we began last year, while also positioning Washington to be competitive for grants in the federal Race to the Top. Under this proposal, all schools will benefit from increased accountability, flexibility and targeted reforms in educator preparation and evaluation systems.

“Education is the people’s priority, and it’s great to end this regular session on a high note with these two powerful bills to reform our education system for our kids.”