McAuliffe applauds education proposal in Inslee’s budget plan

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.

McAuliffe noted that Inslee’s proposed 2013-15 budget calls for $1.2 billion in new, targeted education expenditures tied to strong accountability measures that establish statewide education standards.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Snohomish County Health Department Director Dennis Worsham on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County Health Department director tapped as WA health secretary

Dennis Worsham became the first director of the county health department in January 2023. His last day will be July 3.

Police Cmdr. Scott King answers questions about the Flock Safety license plate camera system on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mountlake Terrace approves Flock camera system after public pushback

The council approved the $54,000 license plate camera system agreement by a vote of 5-2.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Community Transit saw a 17% jump in ridership from 2023 to 2024. Photo courtesy of Community Transit.
Snohomish County transit agencies seeking comments on planning docs

Community Transit and Everett Transit are preparing documents that lay out a path for future service and infrastructure improvments.

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen talks with Volunteers of America leadership to discuss the consequences of the federal cuts on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Federal cuts to LGBTQ+ youth hotline to hit Everett center

U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, visited the call center Monday to discuss impacts of the cuts, including longer wait times and staff layoffs.

U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, right, goes over a Chinook Marsh Project map with Snohomish County Surface Water Management’s Michael Rustay, left, and Erik Stockdale, center, at the project site on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County receives $10 million grant for floodplain management

The state Department of Ecology funding will go toward 13 projects across the county working to restore habitat and support climate resiliency.

The Washington state Capitol. (Photo by Jacquelyn Jimenez Romero/Washington State Standard)
These Washington laws take effect July 1

Fee hikes for hunting and fishing licenses, workplace protections for immigrants and… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.