State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe has applauded the education proposals in Gov. Jay Inslee’s budget plan.
McAuliffe, the ranking Democratic member of the State Senate Committee on Early Learning and K-12 Education, represents most of Mountlake Terrace, all of Brier and Bothell, and the rest of the 1st Legislative District.
McAuliffe said that Inslee’s plan properly made support for education the top priority in the budget proposal released Thursday.
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 is not fulfilling its constitutional duty to fund basic education.
McAuliffe issued this statement Thursday:
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.
The governor proposes $1.3 billion in targeted new investments, which will be paid for by extending tax rates and closing tax exemptions that Inslee and McAuliffe say cannot be justified in the face of pressing education needs.
Evan Smith can be reached at schsmith@frontier.com
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