A lot is happening in the House and Senate, so I’d like to give you a short update about issues important to all of our families back home in the 19th District–especially when it comes to education and the economy.
Continuing to lead the way on education funding
Fulfilling our paramount duty to the one million school kids in Washington is about more than fully funding schools. We must have the right policies in place that ensure all students have the opportunity to learn and succeed.
Time and again, House Democrats have led the way on those policies, like expanding all-day kindergarten and reducing K-3 class sizes.
Watch my latest video update on teachers salaries, school construction, cross-laminated timber, and the transportation budget
The House Democratic budget proposal will help do that by:
- Increasing beginning teacher salaries – It’s hard to attract new teachers when the starting salary won’t allow them to make their student loan payments. This investment will set the beginning teacher salary at $40,000.
- Supporting classified staff and paraeducators – Schools need more than teachers to create a good learning environment for kids. This budget proposal will fund retention of quality staff throughout the school and provide professional development for paraeducators, important school employees who work with students with developmental or physical disabilities.
- Supporting beginning teachers – Programs to support educators in the beginning of their careers helps them to become better teachers for our kids and gives them the tools for success. This proposal invests in early career teachers so they can have long, successful careers in the field.
On February 29 Governor Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 6195 which allows for basic education obligations to be met. I co-sponsored the companion House Bill and was very happy to see the Senate Bill pass.
Washington tops the charts in job and wage growth
According to the most recent Automatic Data Processing Vitality Index report, which analyzes private-sector job and wage growth, Washington outpaced all other states during the last quarter of 2015 compared with the previous period.
This Seattle Times story breaks it down, but here are the highlights:
- With an index score of 117.9, Washington topped the national average of 106.8, as well as other states, like California, 108.7; Texas, 108.8; and New York, 105.4.
- Employment climbed by 3.7 percent in Washington, compared to the national average of 2.1. Most of the job growth was in construction, information technology, professional services, and leisure and hospitality industries.
- For current full-time employees, wages in Washington were up 5 percent year-over-year during the fourth quarter, compared with 4.1 percent nationally.
Keep in touch!
I’d love to hear your questions, ideas and comments.
Please feel free to call the toll-free Hotline (800-562-6000), email (jd.rossetti@leg.wa.gov) or visit my office at the capitol.
If you call or visit my office, chances are you’ve talked with my legislative assistant, Sarah Temples. She grew up in the 19th District and I apprieciate all of her hard work during this session.
Thank you for taking the time to get informed and involved in your democracy. I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
JD Rossetti