My quote for this week helps me remember that in spite of changes that keep coming or that may come in the future, I can stay focused on my belief in public education and my desire to support students and staff in whatever way I can.
Just this week, following our trip to Washington, D.C., President Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating the Department of Education. Read more about this from the Seattle Times or from Ben Mitchell, Director of Advocacy and Policy for the Foundation for Tacoma Students, in his weekly legislative update.
In Olympia, week ten of the legislative session was all about committee hearings, the revenue forecast, and revenue proposals. Fewer policy bills are moving because of the $10-$12 billion budget shortfall over the next four years. Everything is focused
on the budget situation and both the House and Senate Democrats will release their budgets on Monday, March 24.
On Tuesday, The Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) released their forecast that now estimates that revenues will be $844 million lower over the next four years. This wasn’t entirely unexpected news, but it adds to the budget problem that legislators have. Here is an article by the Washington Research Council that explains more about the revenue forecast.
Senate Ways and Means Chair June Robinson (D–Everett) issued the following statement on Tuesday’s Economic and Revenue Forecast Council meeting: “Today’s revenue forecast shows a modest decline in projected revenue, which is what
we expected. While it doesn’t change the broader fiscal challenges we face, it reinforces the need for a balanced and sustainable approach as we finalize the 2025-27 operating budget.”
On Thursday, the Senate Democrats unveiled their revenue proposals which would tax the wealthiest citizens but also cut our state sales tax by a half-cent in order to reduce the tax burden on the majority of people. For a look at the whole revenue package,
read this article in the Seattle Times or this article by the Washington Research Council. We expect to see revenue proposals from House Democrats soon.
Bills This Week
SB 5192 (MSOC) and SB 5263 (Special Education Funding) were heard in the House Appropriations
Committee and are the two remaining bills from the “Big 3” effort to fully fund basic education. Approximately $1 billion would be added to basic education funding over the next two years if these bills pass. A tremendous show of support
from district superintendents and school board members was organized for the hearing. Thank you to so many of you who signed-in support or sent in written comments to your legislators about these bills.
Other bills that were heard this week include:
Monday
House Education
SSB 5123 – Expanding protections for certain students to promote inclusivity in public schools.
SSB 5193 – Supporting remote testing options for students in online school programs.
ESB 5235 – Repealing and reorganizing outdated statutes concerning public schools.
Tuesday
House Education
SB 5177 – Considering the experiences of historically
marginalized & underrepresented groups when identifying professional development resources on certain topics.
SSB 5240 – Concerning anaphylaxis medications in schools.
SSB 5253 – Extending special education services to students with disabilities until the end of the school year in which the student turns 22.
SSB 5327 – Concerning learning standards and graduation requirements.
SB 5641 – Encouraging public school instruction in awareness of blood
donation.
Wednesday
Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education
ESHB 1651 – Concerning teacher residency and
apprenticeship programs.
HB 1796 – Concerning school districts’ authority to contract indebtedness for school construction.
SHB 1709 – Addressing the care of students with adrenal insufficiency by parent-designated adults.
SHB 1351 – Adjusting age requirements for accessing the ECEAP
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