Latest budget news

On Wednesday, Speaker Chopp and Rep. Pat Sullivan met with Governor Gregoire for a "five corners" meeting with legislative leaders and budget writers from all four caucuses (House and Senate Ds and Rs).

Last month the Governor requested input from the caucuses on how to address the 2011 operating budget shortfall. Here is the list of reduction ideas from House Democrats.

The list is still very preliminary. Members worked diligently to mitigate some of the most painful reductions that were included in the Governor's list of possible reductions. For example, House Democrats do not include the following proposed reductions:

• Eliminating the Basic Health Plan
• Reducing Levy Equalization
• Eliminating the Children’s Health Program
• Eliminating Disability Lifeline Medical Care
• Eliminating Pharmacy Benefits for Adults

And about that special session -- still no agreement. Stay tuned!

Quick Take: Liias on school bullying

As we noted last year, the Legislature passed House Bill 2801 to address harassment in our schools. Rep. Marko Liias will be looking to continue that work in the 2011 session:

"The new law requires schools to update and strengthen their policies this year, adopt specific action plans for parents and students to report bullying, and for the first time, schools will be required to designate a specific school official to tackle school bullying.

These steps will ensure that our schools continue to address this challenge. But, as I have spoken with students, parents and community members, it is clear that we need to take another step to engage more partners in tackling school bullying.

That is why I will be offering legislation this January to create a statewide task force to study how our state can truly eliminate bullying and harassment in our schools. This task force will bring together teachers, parents, students, the faith community and others to examine best practices from around the country and recommend an action plan for our schools."

In the news:

The Olympian (Sept. 17) – Op-ed: School bullying is a problem that requires adult intervention

Auburn Reporter (Nov. 18) – Liias op-ed: More steps need to be taken to stop school bullying

Additional resource:

WA Office of the Education Ombudsman: Bullying at school – What a family can do

This for that - Carlyle's pitch for PAYGO

Rep. Reuven Carlyle offers up his thoughts on why legislators should consider a "pay as you go" approach to budgeting, an approach he says "would radically change the dynamics of our political dialogue."

Read it here.

Mystery photo

Our state agencies do some really cool stuff sometimes (or really cold, in this case).

The first step to fixing the $5.7 billion budget problem

The $5.7 billion budget hole announced last week is what you'll hear lawmakers describe as a "three-year problem" - finding a way to balance the books for the remainder of this year, and then drafting a balanced budget for the next two years.

The first (and most urgent) step is cutting an additional $385 million from this year's budget which ends in June 2011. After September's revenue forecast, Governor Gregoire trimmed $520 million using across-the-board cuts, but last week's forecast necessitates yet another round of reductions.

When the Governor learned of the new shortfall, she asked leaders from all four corners of the Legislature (the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the House and Senate) to provide a list of ideas by November 29. Yesterday, she revealed her list which includes:

• Delay financial aid funding to 2012 for State Need college grants ($76 million)
• Eliminate the Basic Health Program on Feb. 1 ($33.7 million)
• Eliminate state funding for more resources for grades K-4 on Sept. 1 ($81.5 million)
• Reduce levy equalization property-poor school districts by 6.3 percent ($18 million)
• Eliminate the state-only food assistance program on Feb. 1 ($9.6 million)
• Eliminate the highly capable student funds for next year ($7 million)
  

This $300 million+ list doesn't even touch the surface of the kinds of cuts legislators will have to make next session to bridge a $5.7 billion shortfall.

Contrary to popular cliche, this first step won't be the hardest.

Snowed in?

Looking for something to do? The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is looking for feedback about the state's education reform efforts.

According to the Governor's office, OSPI is trying to identify specific steps to help us meet the four state goals laid out last June in our state's application for the Obama Administration's Race to the Top grant program:

• Students entering kindergarten will be prepared for success in school and life;
• Students will compete in math and science nationally and internationally;
• Students will attain high academic standards regardless of race, ethnicity, income or gender; and
• Students will graduate able to succeed in college, other higher training and careers.
  

Washington ultimately was not selected as a recipient, but reform efforts continue.

So take a few moments, see how quickly you can decipher some of the wonky survey language, and give your two cents on education reform.

Hitting the road for the holidays? Look up traffic conditions, weather, closures before you go

Today’s snow is causing traffic snarls in many areas, but they probably won’t be the last this week as families hit the road all over the state for Thanksgiving. The Department of Transportation (WSDOT) estimates that traffic volumes could reach “five times the typical level” this Wednesday.

So save some stress (and probably gas, too) by visiting WSDOT’s enormously helpful website to learn about traffic patterns, weather conditions, alternative routes, best time to travel popular routes, and general winter driving tips.

And regardless of the time of year, you can always visit WSDOT's traveler information page or dial 5-1-1 for up-to-date info on accidents, congestion and more.