Democratic state Rep. Ross Hunter, the chamber’s chief budget writer and a central figure in the state’s effort to fully fund public schools, is resigning to become director of the Department of Early Learning.
The Medina lawmaker’s appointment by Gov. Jay Inslee was announced Monday. Hunter will succeed Bette Hyde who is retiring. Hunter will begin his new job Sept. 8 and earn $150,000 a year.
Hunter, a 13-year veteran of the House, is chairman of the Appropriations Committee where he pushed for $137 million in additional funds for early learning in the current budget.
He’s also been in the middle of efforts by lawmakers to ensure schools are fully funded by 2018 as the Supreme Court demanded in the McCleary case. He’ll depart before the problems surrounding levy reform and teacher compensation are solved.
“Clearly there is still work to do on the remaining portions of McCleary, but the end is in sight and the problems (and reasonable solutions) are well understood,” Hunter wrote on his blog.
Hunter wrote that Inslee asked him late last week to accept the job.
“With the passage of the Early Start Act this year the Legislature made an historic investment in high quality opportunities for all of our state’s children. I’m incredibly pleased with the opportunity to have huge positive impact on outcomes for young children. I look forward to leading the implementation of this act and taking DEL in new and exciting directions.
Inslee, in a statement issued by his office, said, “With landmark investments this year, Washington state is poised to be a world leader in early learning. Ross will ensure that those investments bring returns for our children, making sure every family has access to quality early learning opportunities.”
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