PTA
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Legislative Update
Please take the time to read the following updates about issues that affect the health, education and welfare of our children and remember to contact your district representatives and voice your opinion. Thank you!
VISIT: http://capwiz.com/wastatepta/state/main/ and TAKE ACTION TODAY!
Martiel Heller, Rockwell Legislative Rep
Legislative News
Final Report 2004-2005
The following report by Mary Kenfield, of the Washington State PTA, has been condensed to provides a recap of the recent legislative activity. I hope all parents will take a few minutes and read through these decisions that ultimately affect the health, education and welfare of all children. It has been my pleasure to serve Rockwell as the legislative chair for 2003 through 2005. I appreciate all those who participated on the legislative alert team during that time. The Norman Rockwell Legislative Chair for 2005-2006 is Natalie Delano. I have enjoyed serving Rockwell as an advocate for all children. Thank you!
Martiel
Grassroots Connection
A Legislative Publication of the Washington State PTA
April 25, 2005
Final 2005-07 Biennial Budgets (Operating and Capital) Highlights
The state Legislature has wrapped up on time and passed a budget that makes important investments in the health, safety, welfare, and education of children and youth in Washington State. On the final day of the 2005 legislative session, the Washington Legislature approved a $26 billion operating budget for the state.
Revenue
The total new revenue package of $481 million is a mix of several sources, and is designated for education purposes, primarily funding of I-728, the Student Achievement Fund.
K-12 Increases
- Initiative 728 step up -- $138.2 million, Student Achievement Fund
- Special Education Safety Net – $31.0 million
- Learning Assistance Program --$25.1
- Science Assessment -- $4.5 million
- Assessment System Changes -- $3.2 million
- Provided for district grants for re-takes, development of alternative assessments, and development of appeals process for WASL.
- Education Finance Study -- $1.7 million
- Comprehensive early learning, K-12 and higher education finance study.
- Focused Assistance for Schools -- $2.0 (with a matching grant of $2 from the Gates Foundation) to support schools in need of improvement.
- School Breakfasts as per HB 1771 -- $100,000, provides assistance for schools not offering school breakfast in areas with over 40% population of free and reduced price lunch.
- Reading Assistance -- $600,000, Includes Reading Model implementation and Early Reading grants.
- Funding of the per-student allotment for highly capable programs was not only maintained, but increased. First year of the biennium funding is $347.25 per student and second year is $349.48. A total increase of $14.59 over the current funding of $334.89.
- Studies as recommended by the Interim Workgroup on K-12 Finance – $200,000
- Immigrant Study -- $100,000
- Student Transportation and Special Education Expenditures -- $100,000.
- Other K-12 Enhancements
- Expansion of mentor opportunities at 16 high schools (WA. Achievers Scholars program) -- $1.0 million;
- Pilot program for dyslexia instruction programs -- $700,000;
- Support for instruction around conservation and natural resources-- $200,000 ;
- Curriculum regarding women’s role in World War II -- $200,000;
- Internet Safety Education program to fund SB 5803 -- $40,000;
- Skills Center Incentive Grants -- $1.2 million;
- School Nurses Services Workgroup -- $50,000.
Health & Human Services
- Children’s Health Care -- Premiums are delayed; some administrative barriers are removed; and healthcare coverage is restored to over 38,000 immigrant children who lost coverage in the last biennium.
- Mental Health – $80 million of lost Medicaid revenue for community mental health services is restored; $20 million is provided to implement the mental health omnibus act of 2005.
Developmental Disabilities -- $2.9 million is provided to assist high school graduates with developmental disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment; Autism Centers in Tacoma and Spokane - funding is provided to continue the UW Tacoma Center for Autism and for the Northwest Autism Center in Spokane (through Eastern Washington University) to provide community-based approaches to assisting children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. The funding is also for the establishment of a preschool at EWU to serve children identified with autism spectrum disorder; Flexible Family Support Pilot receives $2.5 million to fund a new family support pilot program for approximately 1,400 families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level ($64,360 per year).
- Children’s Services -- $10.1 million is provided for improving child protective services by implementing 24 hour responses to allegations of abuse and neglect and for 30 day face-to-face visits to children in foster care.
House K-12 Capital Budget Summary
The final Capital budget includes $600 million for K-12 construction, which is $217 million more than the current funding level.
- State match for new construction is increased by both the student square foot allocation and the area cost allowance.
- Renovation: An increase in state assistance for modernization of new projects from 80% to 100% of the area cost allowance- $91.9 million;
- Skill Centers -- $14.4 million;
- High Performance buildings grants -- $6.5 million;
- Emergency school repairs -- $3.0 million;
- Environmental learning centers -- $6.5 million;
- School Mapping project -- $4.5 million
- Apple Award Achievement Construction grants -- $500,000 (awarded to schools with greatest gains in WASL scores, $25,000 per school)
- Additional House Capital Budget items impacting children:
- Housing: $100 million is provided for housing assistance for low-income persons, developmentally disabled persons, victims of domestic abuse, and homeless families with children, farmers, and other housing needs. The total for housing in the 2003-05 capital budget was $81 million.
- 2-1-1 services are funded at the initial start-up amount of $100,000. 2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number that connects individuals with resources in their community - where to get help and how to give help. It is currently available to about 40% of the United States population, and a coalition of United Ways , Community Information Lines, and interested partners have been working hard for the past four years to bring 2-1-1 to Washington State.
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