2015 Legislative Session Guide
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Trust | Leadership | Advocacy 2015wasa Legislative Session Guide A publication of the Washington Association of School Administrators The 2015 Session began on January 12 and is scheduled to end on April 26. It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex. (§ 1) The legislature shall provide for a general and uniform system of public schools. (§ 2) —Constitution of the State of Washington, Article IX, Education 2015 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM: with the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision, nor allow the state to Comply with the Paramount Duty address educator compensation or capital costs in a comprehensive WASA believes the Legislature should be held accountable for way. WASA supports the enhancement of state revenues to ensure complying with its “paramount duty” to provide ample funding for the Legislature is able to fully comply with the constitutional all K–12 children by implementing the new basic education finance paramount duty with “regular and dependable” sources of funding system as adopted in ESHB 2261 (2009) and SHB 2776 (2010). and also prevent drastic reductions of other necessary government To ensure the new system is completely implemented—with full services—which would have significant direct and indirect impacts and equitable funding—by 2018, as ordered by the Supreme Court on K–12 education. in McCleary v. State, the Legislature must demonstrate steady Ensure Competitive Public School Employee Compensation progress towards compliance with the constitution. WASA urges the Legislature to fully fund a competitive Expand Available State Resources compensation system to ensure the state not only meets its The current state budget structure cannot accommodate the responsibility to establish an equitable and ample allocation system, required—and needed—increases in basic education to comply but maintains the present benefit and pension offerings. ENGAGE WITH YOUR LEGISLATORS In 2015, the Legislature convened its first session of the 64th for legislators with an expected slew of “education reform” bills. Biennial Session. The major job facing legislators will be to draft a The Senate Majority Coalition Caucus continues to rally around new two-year budget amid a projected $1.0+ billion shortfall (that is, the mantra of “reform before revenue” and with an expected large anticipated revenues are more than $1.0 billion less than anticipated investment in K–12, they will push for additional “accountability” expenditures). Adding a necessary basic education investment to in education. Because of the divided control of the Legislature, many comply with the Supreme Court’s McCleary education funding of these policy issues are sure to be trade bait as legislators attempt to decision and a required down payment to begin the implementation compromise on a final budget. of the recently adopted class size reduction initiative, I-1351, the The 2015 Session, being nicknamed the “Super Bowl” of sessions shortfall grows to well-over $4.0 billion. by many, provides a tremendous, potentially once-in-a-lifetime, There will continue to be divided control of the Legislature. opportunity for K–12 education—an opportunity that we should Democrats remain in control of the House, albeit with a slim not waste. School administrators cannot sit on their hands. 51–47 lead. Senate Republicans were numerically outnumbered by Administrators need to remain alert and active in the legislative Democrats in the last two years, but they controlled a newly formed process. Use TWIO and other WASA legislative resources, including Majority Coalition Caucus, comprised of Republicans and two this Session Guide, to regularly engage with your local representatives. dissident Democrats. In 2015, Republicans have outright control Continue to build relationships with your local legislators so they of the Senate. Including one of the previous dissident Democrats, know that you are the “go to” person when education issues are being who will continue to caucus with Republicans, the Republican-led discussed in the Legislature. Tell your “story” and remind legislators Majority Coalition Caucus holds a 26–23 majority. about their funding obligations under the constitution and under the Split control of the Legislature will complicate budget decisions and, Supreme Court’s McCleary ruling; however, remind them upholding while the major focus of this session will be on budget matters, there their constitutional duty is not simply an obligation—it is the right will be no shortage of policy issues for legislators and stakeholders to thing to do. And remind them that K–12 education is not just address. Education in particular will continue to be a battleground another budget expenditure, it is a wise and sound investment in the future. WA State Senate Directory All Area Codes (360) SENATE LEADERSHIP President of the Senate ......................Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen ...... 786-7700 Secretary of the Senate ......................Hunter Goodman ............................. 786-7550 President Pro Tempore ......................Senator Pam Roach ........................... 786-7660 Deputy Secretary of the Senate ..........Paul Campos ..................................... 786-7501 Vice President Pro Tempore ..............Senator Sharon Brown ...................... 786-7614 Sergeant At Arms ..............................Jim Ruble ......................................... 786-7541 Democratic Caucus Majority Coalition Caucus Democratic Leader ................................Sen. Sharon Nelson ................................ 786-7667 Majority Leader .....................................Sen. Mark Schoesler ............................... 786-7620 Democratic Deputy Leader ...................Sen. Andy Billig ..................................... 786-7604 Majority Caucus Chair ..........................Sen. Linda Evans Parlette ....................... 786-7622 Democratic Caucus Chair .....................Sen. Karen Fraser ................................... 786-7642 Majority Floor Leader ...........................Sen. Joe Fain .......................................... 786-7692 Democratic Vice Caucus Chair .............Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe ....................... 786-7600 Majority Whip ......................................Sen. Ann Rivers ..................................... 786-7634 Democratic Floor Leader .......................Sen. Christine Rolfes ............................. 786-7644 Majority Caucus Deputy Leader ............Sen. John Braun ..................................... 786-7638 Democratic Assistant Floor Leader ........Sen. Annette Cleveland .......................... 786-7696 Majority Caucus Vice Chair ..................Sen. Jan Angel ........................................ 786-7650 Democratic Whip .................................Sen. Cyrus Habib ................................... 786-7694 Majority Assistant Floor Leader .............Sen. Jim Honeyford ............................... 786-7684 Democratic Assistant Whip ...................Sen. Mark Mullet ................................... 786-7608 Majority Deputy Whip .........................Sen. Mark Miloscia ................................ 786-7658 Dansel, Brian R-7th District Jayapal, Pramila D-37th District Pearson, Kirk R-39th District Room Key INB 115B 360-786-7612 JAC 213 360-786-7688 INB 115D 360-786-7676 INB = Newhouse Building [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] JAC = Cherberg Building Darneille, Jeannie D-27th District Keiser, Karen D-33rd District Pedersen, Jamie D-43th District LEG = Legislative Building JAC 227 360-786-7652 JAC 224A 360-786-7664 JAC 235 360-786-7628 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Angel, Jan R-26th District Ericksen, Doug R-42nd District King, Curtis R-14th District Ranker, Kevin D-40th District INB 203A 360-786-7650 LEG 414 360-786-7682 JAC 305 360-786-7626 JAC 215 360-786-7678 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Bailey, Barbara R-10th District Fain, Joe R-47th District Kohl-Welles, Jeanne D-36th District Rivers, Ann R-18th District INB 109B 360-786-7618 LEG 309 360-786-7692 JAC 219 360-786-7670 LEG 405 360-786-7634 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Baumgartner, Michael R-6th District Fraser, Karen D-22nd District Liias, Marko D-21st District Roach, Pam R-31st District LEG 404 360-786-7610 LEG 314 360-786-7642 JAC 226 360-786-7640 INB 112 360-786-7660 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Becker, Randi R-2nd District Frockt, David D-46th District Litzow, Steve R-41st District Rolfes, Christine D-23rd District INB 110 360-786-7602 LEG 402 360-786-7690 LEG 416 360-786-7641 JAC 233 360-786-7644 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Benton, Don R-17th District Habib, Cyrus D-48th District McAuliffe, Rosemary D-1st District Schoesler, Mark R-9th District LEG 409 360-786-7632 JAC 230 360-786-7694 LEG 403 360-786-7600 LEG 307 360-786-7620 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Billig, Andy D-3rd District Hargrove, James D-24th District McCoy, John D-38th District Sheldon, Tim D-35th District LEG 412 360-786-7604 LEG 411 360-786-7646 JAC 241 360-786-7674