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Reps. Dammeier and Dahlquist encourage people to let their voices be heard on the issue
 

A bill that would change the state operating budget process and prioritize K-12 education funding will receive a public hearing on Tuesday, January 31, at 8:00 a.m., in the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee. House Bill 2533, called Fund Education First, would require the Legislature to pass a separate K-12 education budget before any other state appropriations.

House Bill 2533, prime sponsored by Rep. Bruce Dammeier and co-sponsored by Rep. Cathy Dahlquist, has bipartisan support. The House Republican education leaders are encouraging the public to weigh in on the issue. 

“The recent McCleary decision on education funding only strengthens the case for Fund Education First. The state Supreme Court said clearly that we are failing in the paramount duty to our students,” said Dammeier, R-Puyallup. “There must be a clear understanding in the Legislature that all state programs and services are not equal, and education is paramount. Fund Education First would change how we budget for our schools. It would require the Legislature to face up to its constitutional responsibility with a specific budget vote. I encourage people to come to Olympia and let their voices be heard on this important issue.”   

As the largest segment of the state operating budget, K-12 education has been a frequent target of funding reductions the last five years as the Legislature has attempted to align state spending with revenues. The governor is proposing to cut K-12 education more, by $630 million, and then ask voters to pass a state sales tax increase to “buy back” these cuts and others in state government.

“Fund Education First is a timely proposal considering the state budget situation and the recent state Supreme Court ruling,” said Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw. “What I love about this legislation is it would take the politics out of our kids’ education. Gambling on a voter-approved tax increase to fund schools will no longer be the way the budget system operates. Basic education would get the first dollar and every other program would fall in line for tax dollars based on priority. As a former school board president, I am certain Fund Education First would give our school districts around the state more certainty in budgeting and allow them to rely less on local levies to fund basic education.”

House Republicans have introduced Fund Education First legislation in the past, including last year with House Bill 1415. The difference between previous efforts and House Bill 2533 is the latter would, if signed into law, go into effect immediately and be used to address the current $1.5 billion budget shortfall.   

The state currently has three separate budgets – the operating, capital (construction) and transportation budgets. K-12 education is already a stand-alone section in the state operating budget.

The 2012 legislative session began January 9 and is scheduled to adjourn March 8. 

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Contact: John Handy, Deputy Communications Director, (360) 786-5758

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