Tag Archives: Windows into the Budget

Sen. Braun’s E-newsletter – October 6, 2015

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Washington’s Paramount Duty

A look at education funding in our state

Greetings,

For the past 30 years, starting in the early 1980s, growth in general government spending outpaced the state’s investments in public education. Billions of dollars were diverted from the state’s paramount duty toward other state programs. As the state’s portion of education funding declined, that burden shifted to school-district taxpayers and their ability to raise funds through local levies. These two issues have culminated in the McCleary decision where the state Supreme court found the state was not meeting is constitutional duty to adequately provide for K-12 education.

In just a few short years, our Senate majority has been able to change that and make education the first priority in the state’s budget. Since 2013, education spending has increased by $4.5 billion and 47 percent of spending in the most recent budget is going to our K-12 system. However, funding is only part of the challenge. We also need common sense reforms to give teachers the freedom to do their jobs well and help schools and students succeed.

Looking ahead at the upcoming legislative session, we have more work to do to make the right investments for our students and provide a more equitable solution for school funding by the 2018 deadline. As we continue to prioritize schools in our state there will be many issues to address, but funding is a major piece of the puzzle. State Sen. Andy Hill, our lead budget writer, recently put out a series of policy papers that goes in depth on education funding and reform. Please see below for links to the three-part series.

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Windows into the Budget

The Paramount Duty Series

Part I: 30 Years of Shirking the Paramount Duty & Understanding the Ruling that Followed

“It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders[.]”

– Article. 9, Sec. 1 of the Washington State Constitution

Despite being ascribed preeminent importance in Washington’s Constitution, education was a decidedly declining state budget priority over the last generation as non-education spending dominated budget growth from 1983 to 2013… Click Here to Read More

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Part 2: Turning the tide–state spending radically reprioritized under Majority Coalition Caucus

The Majority Coalition Caucus (MCC) took the reins of the Senate in 2013, determined to turn the tide of the previous 30 years and reprioritize education. The results are as follows… Click Here to Read More.

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Part 3: What’s left? Bringing fairness to K-12 funding via levy reform,debunking the myth that new taxes are needed,and the vital importance of education policy reforms

The quality of a child’s education should not depend on their ZIP Code.That is a fundamental principle that unites all of us in the Legislature, and while we cannot ultimately control the quality of a child’s education, we in the Legislature must ensure the funding system in place is equitable, regardless of where a child lives in our state.Sadly, that is not the case at present–and it must be remedied… Click Here to Read More.

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Contact Me:

Email:John.Braun@leg.wa.gov

Olympia Office:

407 Legislative Building

PO Box 40420

Olympia, WA 98504-0420

Phone:(360) 786-7638

                                    Website: johnbraun.src.wastateleg.org

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Legislative Update – Jan. 14, 2015

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January 14, 2015


Greetings Friends and Neighbors,

The 2015 legislative session began Monday. Considerable work will go into building a sustainable budget that prioritizes education. I believe that we can do this without significantly altering our state’s tax structure as Governor Inslee is proposing. Raising taxes should be a last resort.

The state is projected to have $3 billion more for the 2015-17 budget than we did in the 2013-15 budget. My colleague and the Senate’s lead budget writer, Sen. Andy Hill, recently published a policy piece called Windows into the Budget that gives a realistic insight into our state’s budget situation. Please click here to read this brief newsletter. You can also see a highlight below.

It is an honor to serve as your state senator.

John Braun,

20th District Senator


Windows into the Budget

2015 Budget Preview: The Deficit Myth

By: Sen. Andy Hill

There is a myth, propagated by the Governor and others, that Washington faces a massive budget deficit, meaning that the state has insufficient revenues to continue existing services.

This myth began in the summer with a Governor – initiated exercise asking agencies to propose 15% budget cuts, continued in the fall with a presentation around the state by the Governor’s budget director, and was repeated during the Governor’s December budget release.

This deficit assertion is meant to mislead, directing people to the erroneous conclusion that Washington has insufficient revenues to continue its current service levels and that significant cuts (see the Governor’s 15% reduction exercise) or tax increases (see the Governor’s actual budget) are needed.

Let’s look at the facts, rather than misleading hyperbole:

Fact #1

Washington can afford to continue all existing services, including increased caseloads and related costs, plus fund required enhancements that emerged since enactment of the previous budget…

Please click here to read the rest of Windows into the Budget

Contact Me

Email:

John.Braun@leg.wa.gov

Olympia Office:

407 Legislative Building

PO Box 40420

Olympia, WA 98504-0420

Phone:

(360) 786-7638

Website:

www.SenatorJohnBraun.com


Committee Assignments

This year, in addition to serving on the Environment, Energy and Telecommunications committee, I will serve as vice-chair of three committees: Trade and Economic Development, Commerce and Labor, and Ways and Means. I also have the honor of serving as the Senate Deputy Majority Leader.


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