McAuliffe applauds Inslee’s focus on education funding in budget proposal

Published 1:28 pm Thursday, March 28, 2013

The following is a release from Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe’s office.

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (D-Bothell) applauded Gov. Jay Inslee for making education funding the top priority in his budget proposal today.

The proposal comes more than halfway through the legislative session while lawmakers continue to grapple with how to address the 2012 McCleary Supreme Court decision which said the state of Washington is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fund basic education. Senate Democrats continue to make education funding a top priority.

McAuliffe, the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee, offered the following statement:

“This is the best education budget proposal I’ve seen in 20 years; It offers stability to K-12 education funding.

“The investment in education represents the first major step toward addressing the McCleary decision and demonstrates a long-term commitment to fully funding basic education for all children.

“I’m very impressed with the focus on the success of the whole child, from early learning through higher education.

“The governor addresses specific issues being discussed this session such as supporting struggling students throughout their early learning and K-12 pathway, and pays particular attention to critical subjects including science, technology, engineering and math that prepare kids for in-demand jobs right here in Washington state.

“Every child deserves a high-quality teacher in front of the classroom and a strong principal leading his or her school. This budget addresses just that by investing in professional development for the Teacher Principal Evaluation Program which will give them the tools they need for success.

“Until we fully fund our schools, I will continue to fight for my children, grandchildren and all children throughout the state to ensure they are able to achieve their dreams.”

Inslee’s Working Washington 2013–15 budget proposal calls for $1.2 billion in new, targeted education investments tied to strong accountability measures, like Senate Bill 5491 that establishes statewide education standards for K-12 success.

The governor proposes to build that foundation with $1.3 billion in targeted new investments, which will be paid for by extending tax rates and closing tax exemptions that cannot be justified in the face of our pressing education needs.