RIGHT NOW
A number of bills are in public hearings this week and we are keeping track of them. We have advocates down in Olympia to testify.
SB 5475, which would delay implementation of inclusion of HCP into basic education for two more years. There was a public hearing on Monday in the Senate K-12 committee and everyone who testified on this bill, including seven HCP advocates, thought it was seriously flawed. The chairman indicated it will be revised. We testified against it and wrote offering to work with the committee on the necessary changes. We’re waiting for a response…
HB 1443, which states it is incorporating the recommendations of the QEC. We will testify at the public hearing on Friday. The section on HCP definition and identification are not in agreement with either the QEC Report to the Legislature or the HCPTWG Recommendations. We are working with the committee to amend this bill but may not be successful.
Supplemental Budget, ESHB 1086. The House passed its version of the supplemental budget last week. Senate W&M public hearing 3:30 on Wednesday on its version of the budget which has just been released.
Funding in House version Section 508 $9,171,000
Funding in Senate version Section 507 $9,162,000
Now we need to survive executive session, floor vote, and conference committee since the two versions are different. We will let you know when action is needed.
If you want details of the budget, it is not on the bill page yet but can be found at http://leap.leg.wa.gov/leap/default.asp Click on Legislative Proposals New. On the next page top line, click on Operating Senate. Next page, click on Amendment.
UP NEXT
Biennial budget
If implementation is delayed to 2013, the biennial should contain at least $18 million in categorical funding under the present system for a maintenance level. We understand there may have to be cuts to funding.
The Governor’s proposals (SB 5475 and SB 5094/HB 1087) call for delayed implementation and $0 (zero dollars) in funding.
If implementation occurs in 2011, the biennial needs to contain
Section 708 supplemental funds using either the
current formula of 2.314%, or the proposed formula of 5%.
[When implemented, the basic ed portion of HCP is covered under the basic ed allocation with no specific $ amount for HCP stated.]
Attached is a Gifted Education Day reminder and information on how you can participate even if you can’t get down to Olympia on February 11.
We look forward to seeing you in Olympia on February 11. We still have a lot of persuading to do!