WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

House approves package of Haigh bills

As a critical deadline approaches, the House of Representatives has approved a number of measures introduced by Rep. Kathy Haigh (D-Shelton). Covering issues ranging from high school dropouts to local cemeteries – the bills target growing problems not only in the 35th Legislative District, but across the state.

On Friday, the House took action on Rep. Haigh’s landmark dropout prevention bill. The legislation would provide families, schools and communities with the tools they need to increase the number of on-time graduations.

“No school in Washington – rural or urban, rich or poor – has been immune from the dropout epidemic,” said Rep. Haigh, Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. “This bill is a big step towards ensuring that every child in Washington gets the opportunity to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

Rep. Haigh, Rep. MacEwen, Sen. Sheldon with schoolchildren

The other Haigh measures approved by the House:

  • HB 1207 combats a growing problem at Shelton Memorial Park. Back in 2010, nearly 60 percent of Shelton voted to create a special purpose district to support the cemetery. The measure was defeated because it failed to meet the 2/3rds threshold. HB 1207 puts cemetery districts in line with the formation of other special purpose districts by requiring a simple majority vote.
  • HB 1423 provides for a clearer focus on online learning within the state’s educational system, disentangling Internet instruction from other alternative programs. That will allow for more efficient and effective management of online learning in the future.
  • HB 1243 helps the state earn additional funds for the Common School Fund by allowing the Department of Natural Resources to harvest timber at a time when it can be sold for the best price. It is estimated that this fix could generate an additional $1.5 million to support our schools.  

“Often times these bipartisan bills don’t get a ton of media attention,” added Rep. Haigh. “But they are all examples of how state government can be an important tool for efficiency and common sense in rural communities.”

The bills now move to the Senate for consideration.