The news in Puyallup this week was good, but we’re not out of the woods yet. The proposed new program still relies on state funding for highly capable education. Should the state elect not to fund highly capable, the district will need to find another source for that money. Other districts are being faced with the same situation, or worse. Students throughout the state need your support. We’ve been proud to work with the Washington Coalition for Gifted Education, and will pass along their news to you as we all work towards the education our children need.
Received this evening from the Washington Coalition For Gifted Education. Comments or questions can be sent to wagifted@earthlink.net or barbaragmaurer@yahoo.com. If you wish to have your name added to their mailing list, send a notice to wagifted@earthlink.net.
I realize this is a long message, but please read all of it as it is very important!
Here are the legislative actions coming up this week.
1. The house education appropriations committee last week took action on senate bill 6048 by amending it to read exactly like 2261 (2261 is the house bill that has the provisions for gifted programs as part of basic education). House ed appropriations has now referred the bill to the house ways & means committee, which has not scheduled action. That is probably because of the budget action this week. See item 5 below.
2. The senate k12 education committee held a well attended (100 signed up to speak) public hearing on 2261 (and 6048, strangely enough since the senate already passed it some time ago!) on Wednesday the 25th. They have scheduled executive action at 1:30 on Monday, March 30. We have no idea of what action the committee might take. It could fail to take action, amend 2261 to read like 6048 in its original form as passed by the senate (talk about confusing!), or something else entirely. We are just going to have to wait and see. Until they take action, 2261 and 6048 are again identical, companion bills.
3. The senate will release its version of the budget Monday morning, March 30. We find out then if there is funding for highly capable programs. Ways & Means plans to begin public hearings on it at 3:30 on sections other than education. Senator Jarrett says to expect the worst.
4. The senate hearings continue on Tuesday March 31 beginning at 1:30 when the committee is scheduled to take up the k12 education portion of the budget. By that time we will know what is in it for gifted (or not in it for gifted, as the case may be) and will have someone there to testify in either event. Executive action may occur as early as April 3.
5. The house will release its version of the budget on Tuesday morning and has scheduled public hearings to begin at 1:30 in the individual appropriations committees and at 3:30 in the W&M committee. We will not find out what the house budget for highly capable is until shortly before the public hearing but will have someone there to testify (time permitting) whatever the outcome. This hearing may conflict with the one in item 4 if item 4 runs late.
6. The house ways & means plans to take executive action on its version of the budget at its 1:30 meeting on April 2. (Yes, so far there is nothing scheduled for April 1; I expect they will be busy talking with each other.)
After executive action in each W&M committee, that version of the budget will go to rules and then to the floor for action. Then will follow negotiations between the two houses and to include the governor. That may take until the end of session.
These committee schedules for the budget are as presently posted and are subject to change with little or no notice. Some of the budget hearings may be on TVW if you want to watch. http://www.tvw.org/index.cfm?bhcp=1 click on view live tv signal
Senate Operating Budget Press Conference – live at 10:30 Monday
Senate W&M committee – live at 3:30 Monday (non-education sections)
House Operating Budget Press Conference – live at 10:00 Tuesday
Senate W&M (k12 education sections of the budget) – live at 1:30 Tuesday
House W&M committee – live at 4:30 Tuesday (possible at 3:30)
The impact of House and Senate budget proposals – 7:00 pm Wednesday
We still need you to contact house members to thank them for 2261 and senators to support 2261 instead of 6048. Be sure to send copies of your messages to the Governor. This is important as she is a prime-time player in what is going on right now.
Handwritten letters to legislators and the governor are the best kind of advocacy, especially letters from students.
If you do not know who your legislators are, go to http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx and enter the requested information. The page which results will contain links to your three legislators from which you can send emails directly to them or get their postal mail addresses.
Alternatively, you can use the legislative hot line 1-800-562-6000. Prepare your message in advance and make it as clear and succinct as you can. Keep it short.
Go to http://www.leg.wa.gov/lic/hotline.htm for more information on how to contact legislators. To contact the governor, go to http://www.governor.wa.gov/ and click on Contact the Governor.
We will let you know what the budgets have for gifted as soon as we know ourselves – probably Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning.
