When the House reconvened today after lunch it picked up SHB 1815, a bill that would basically hold school districts' levy bases harmless from the cuts experienced in the FY11 supplemental budget and protect against cuts in the upcoming biennial budget. Read the bill report for the "official" formula.
The bill had been scheduled for action yesterday during "education day," but since passing the bill would acknowledge that K-12 will be cut in the 2011-13 operating budget, lawmakers chose to hold it until today and not use up valuable floor time in debate (which might result in fewer bills passing).
The bill passed 88-9, with several House Republicans voting against. Members voiced concerns about possible impacts to districts that receive local effort assistance and how this might widen the gap in districts that receive LEA and those that don't.
The Senate sends out what's called an "Order of Consideration," a notice that indicates which bills will be considered next. So far, nothing education-related.
Updates on the Legislature and state government from the Washington State School Directors' Association.
