December 22, 2010
Legislative Update
Hello friends,
I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season and are able to spend time with friends and family. Below you’ll find a brief update on the progress made by the legislature to close the budget deficit. The task at hand continues to be grim as we face yet another shortfall. I also want to provide some information on redistricting and the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, which Washington has won. This is very exciting news for Washington on the early learning front!
Warm wishes to you and yours,
Legislature Passes “Down-Payment” Budget Bill During Special Session
We continue to face considerable budget woes here in Washington State. As you are likely aware, Governor Gregoire called a special session of the legislature just after Thanksgiving to get a start on dealing with a forecasted $2 billion deficit.
Special session resulted in a bi-partisan agreement that eliminates about $500 million, mostly in administrative costs. It is a down-payment on the difficult work that will continue into the new year. The magnitude of another $2 billion deficit is daunting and simply could not be dealt with completely during the brief special session. I am, however, pleased that we have a head start on the work ahead of us.
In the last three years, we have eliminated over $10 billion in funding from the state budget. I fear an additional $2 billion in cuts will devastate our schools and drastically reduce or eliminate programs for the poor, elderly and disabled. Our investment in education is paramount, but we also must weigh the cost of cutting programs that provide a safety net to the many people who have lost their jobs, health care and housing or are disabled. So many of our health and human service programs have significant up-front savings. If we eliminate them, we will only pay more down the road.
It is clear to me that we cannot continue to cut our way out of the recurring deficit. As a state, we are facing some fundamental questions of public policy: Do we value small class sizes for our K-12 schools, buses to get children to school, and having supports such as librarians and school nurses in our schools? Do we, as a state, value providing opportunity to get training and to work? To help the elderly and disabled remain in their homes? To help low income parents work by providing child care subsidies?
These are some of the tough questions we will be facing in January. It will take time to come to an agreement because the choices are stark. Many representatives, myself included, are insisting that a balanced approach be taken to the budget that includes both cuts and sending a revenue package to the voters to mitigate some of those cuts.
We will also continue to look at reforming our state agencies and policies to make them more efficient and effective. I plan to introduce legislation to move the state forward with performance based contracting for child welfare services, and reforming our state’s child protective services system. These and many other proposals will be considered next session.
Washington Wins Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Funding
Last week, Washington was one of nine states awarded a federal Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge grant by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services. The grant will provide the state with up to $60 million over four years to build infrastructure and expand early learning in the state.
Race to the Top funding will be used to:
- Strengthen the quality of care provided by licensed child care providers through professional development, coaching and incentives.
- Develop a quality rating system so parents have objective information to use in choosing a child care center or home.
- Implement the successful WaKIDS program statewide by the 2014-15 school year. WaKids brings parents, teachers, and early learning provides together to help young children transition into kindergarten.
- Strengthen measurement tools that track student progress from preschool to college so we can see how early learning investments are effective.
- Enhance professional development opportunities through awards and incentives for early learning providers.
This award is confirmation of Washington State’s role as a national leader in early learning. Our kids are our future, and investing in their education truly begins at birth.
Redistricting
Last week the Redistricting Commission issued new maps for the legislative districts that significantly change the boundaries of the 32nd District. The district will no longer include Kirkland, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, which will become part of the 46th District. The new 32nd District will include Shoreline, Woodway, and portions of northwest Seattle, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood. I have truly enjoyed representing Kirkland, Kenmore and Lake Forest Park, where I have lived for over forty years, and will miss my many friends and supporters. I plan to move into northwest Seattle this summer in order to run for my seat in the 32nd District next year.
My best wishes to each and every one of you for a joyous holiday and New Year.