2. 2011 Legislative Session “Lay of the Land” November 2010 Election Budget Outlook Budget Proposals WASA Legislative Platform Resources 2011 Legislative Preview 2
3. Democratic Governor, Mid-term Pre-election party strength: House: 61 Democrats, 37 Republicans Senate: 31 Democrats, 18 Republicans Post-election party strength: House: 56 Democrats, 42 Republicans Senate: 27 Democrats, 22 Republicans Setting the Stage for 2011 3
4. New Leaders in Democrat Caucus: Caucus Chair: Karen Fraser (Olympia) Majority Whip: Scott White (Seattle) President Pro Tempore: Margarita Prentice (Renton) Vice President Pro Tempore: Paull Shin (Edmonds) Majority Assistant Floor Leader: Phil Rockefeller (Bainbridge Island) Majority Assistant Whip: Kevin Ranker (San Juan Island) 4 Key Legislative Changes - Senate
5. New Leaders in Republican Caucus: Minority Whip: Doug Ericksen (Ferndale) Caucus Vice Chair: Dan Swecker (Rochester) 5 Key Legislative Changes - Senate
6. New Committee Chairs: Ways & Means Committee: Ed Murray (Seattle) Higher Education & Workforce Development: Rodney Tom (Bellevue) Government Operations, Tribal Relations & Elections Committee: Craig Pridemore (Vancouver) Financial Institutions, Housing & Insurance Committee: Steve Hobbs (Lake Stevens) Natural Resources & Marine Waters Committee: Kevin Ranker (San Juan Island) 6 Key Legislative Changes - Senate
7. New Leaders in Democrat Caucus: Majority Leader: Pat Sullivan (Covington) Caucus Chair: Eric Pettigrew (Seattle) Speaker Pro-Tempore: Jim Moeller (Vancouver) Majority Whip: Kevin Van De Wege (Sequim) Majority Floor Leader: Tami Green (University Place) 7 Key Legislative Changes - House
8. New Leaders in Republican Caucus: Minority Floor Leader: Charles Ross (Naches) Minority Caucus Vice Chair: Judy Warnick (Moses Lake) Assistant Minority Floor Leader: Matt Shea (Spokane Valley) 8 Key Legislative Changes - House
9. New Committee Chairs: Education Committee: Sharon Santos (Seattle) Ways & Means Committee: Ross Hunter (Medina) Higher Education Committee: Larry Seaquist (Gig Harbor) General Government Appropriations Committee: Zack Hudgins (Tukwila) Labor & Workforce Development Committee: Mike Sells (Everett) Local Government Committee: Dean Takko (Longview) Health & Human Services Appropriations Committee: Mary Lou Dickerson (Seattle) 9 Key Legislative Changes - House
11. Initiative Measure 1053 – concerning tax and fee increases imposed by state government This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval. 11
12. Initiative Measure 1098 – concerning establishing a state income tax and reducing other taxes This measure would tax “adjusted gross income” above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health. 12
13. Initiative Measure 1107 – concerns reversing certain 2010 amendments to state tax laws This measure would end sales tax on candy; end temporary sales tax on some bottled water; end temporary excise taxes on carbonated beverages; and reduce tax rates for certain food processors. 13
14. Referendum Bill 52 – Concerning authorizing and funding bonds for energy efficiency projects in schools This bill would authorize bonds to finance construction and repair projects increasing energy efficiency in public schools and higher education buildings, and continue the sales tax on bottled water otherwise expiring in 2013. 14
15. Odd-year “long” session, limited to 105 days Major focus: adoption of Biennial Budgets 2011-13 Operating Budget 2011-13 Capital Construction Budget 2011-13 Transportation Budget Setting the Stage for 2011 15
20. Major Education Changes: Transfer federal “Edujobs” funds to General Fund ($208 million) Eliminate K-4 Enhancement, Feb. ‘11 ($39.4 million) Reduce education reform, including assessment savings ($9.17 million) Reduce OSPI administration and program funding ($3.664 million) Total Savings = $588 million Total Reductions = $490.3 million K-12 Education Reductions= $257.5 million 20 2011 “Early Action” Budget
21. Major Education Changes: Eliminate K-4 Enhancement (retroactive) ($42.1 million) Reduce LEA payments by 6.3% ($18.1 million) Shift June 2011 apportionment payment to July 2011 ($253 million) Total Savings = $408.7 million Total Reductions = $244.1 million Total K-12 Reductions = $402.1 million *Governor’s proposal 21 2011 Supplemental Budget*
23. 23 Costs are Increasing Mandatory “Maintenance Level” expenditures escalating, while . . . Budget “Double Whammy” Revenues are Declining Available revenue dropping due to economic situation (compounded by recent election outcomes)
30. 30 State Budget Drivers: Long-Term Care 30 Source: Caseload Forecast Council, 11/10
31. 31 Projected Change in Budget Driver Populations 2007-2011 Source: Office of Financial Management, 3/10
32. 32 General Fund-State Revenues (Forecast by Fiscal Year) Source: Economic & Revenue Forecast Council, 12/10
33. “The economy is off life-support, but still in intensive care.” - Arun Raha, Executive Director Economic and Revenue Forecast Council Nov. 11, 2010 33 Economic & Revenue Update
40. 40 What restrictions are there in reducing the budget? Source: Office of Financial Management, 12/10
41. Major Education Changes: Eliminate various OSPI & statewide programs ($268.83 million) Suspend a series of programs, including I-728 and I-732 ($1.22 billion) Reduce a series of programs, including the reduction and restructuring of LEA ($56.37 million) Increase apportionment, due to June 2011 to July 2011 postponement ($225 million) *Governor’s Proposal 41 2011-13 Operating Budget*
42. Total Spending: $32.12 billion ($3.74 billion below “maintenance level”) Total K-12 Spending: $13.75 billion ($1.78 below “maintenance level”—not including $700+ million commitment to basic education enhancement) *Governor’s Proposal 42 2011-13 Operating Budget*
43. Transforming Washington’s Budget “Ideas to Pursue” Look at ways to improve ESDs. Consider formula changes to increase pressure to consolidate districts. Require schools that graduate students needing remedial education to be responsible for the costs of remediation. Explore benefits of a Governor-appointed SPI. Review base K-12 funding for savings. Reduce school year from 180 days to 175 days. 43 Other Budget Issues
44. Transforming Washington’s Budget “Ideas to Pursue” cont’d Consider increasing class sizes. Streamline administration. Add all employees to Public Employee Benefits Board. Develop “standardized” contract for school construction. Reconsider state assessment system. http://www.governor.wa.gov/priorities/budget/committee_ideas.pdf 44 Other Budget Issues
45. Governor’s proposal to collapse current education agencies/boards/commissions into one, unified “Department of Education,” headed by an appointed, cabinet-level Secretary of Education New Department would have “full authority to run entire Washington state education system” 45 “Department of Education”
46. 46 Current Washington State Education Organization Source: Office of Financial Management, 1/11
47. 47 Proposed Washington State Department of Education Source: Office of Financial Management, 1/11
49. It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex. (§ 1) The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools. (§ 2) Constitution of the State of Washington Article IX - Education Constitutional Paramount Duty 49
50. 2005: The Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS) is formed Comprised of 190+ organizations and school districts committed to improving the quality of public education in Washington NEWS filed a lawsuit, asking the courts to order the State of Washington to live up to its paramount constitutional duty to make ample provision for the education of all Washington children 50 McCleary v. State of Washington http://waschoolexcellence.org/
53. 53 Local levy revenue at the same level as before Doran Decision Source: OSPI 5/10
54. 2009:McCleary v. State of Washington heard in King County Superior Court 2010: Judge John Erlick rules for the plaintiffs, declaring the State’s failure to fully fund public schools is unconstitutional: “This court is left with no doubt that under the State’s current financing system, the state is failing in its constitutional duty. “ 54 McCleary v. State of Washington
55. “State funding is not ample, it is not stable, and it is not dependable…local school districts continue to rely on local levies and other non-state resources to supplement state funding for a basic education.” “Paramount means preeminent, supreme, and more important than others. Funding K-12 education…is the state’s first and highest priority before any other state programs or operations.” - Judge John Erlick 55 McCleary v. State of Washington
56. Judge Erlick directed the Legislature to: “determine the cost of amply providing for basic education and a basic program of education for all children” “provide stable and dependable funding for such costs of basic education” http://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/SuperiorCourt/~/media/courts/SuperiorCourt/Docs/McCleary.ashx 56 McCleary v. State of Washington
57. Simple…but Bold: All actions taken by the 2011 Washington State Legislature must be evaluated in light of Judge John Erlick’s school funding decision in McCleary v. State of Washington. WASA Legislative Platform 57
58. An educated citizenry is critical to the state’s democracy; a well-educated population is the foundation of our democracy, our economy, and the American dream Public education plays a critical role in promoting equality, operating as the great equalizer; public education provides unprivileged citizens with the tools they need to compete on a level playing field with citizens born into wealth or privilege 58 WASA’s Message
59. Education plays a critical role in building and maintaining a strong economy; public education builds the well-educated workforce necessary to attract more stable and higher wage jobs to the state’s economy Washington’s duty to education is constitutionally declared to be its paramount duty In summary: Public education is a wise “investment” in the future 59 WASA’s Message