---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: White, Rep. Scott <White.Scott@leg.wa.gov>
Date: Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Subject: September Newsletter: Back to school edition
To: WALEG-HOUSE-WHITE@listserv.wa.gov
In This Issue
Economic Forecast
K-12 Education
Town Hall
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About the Legislature
State Representative Scott White
Working on the issues important to you!!!
46th Legislative District | white.scott@leg.wa.gov
09/23/09
New forecast: More hope, but more pain
A new (Sept. 17th) state revenue forecast suggests that the recession has almost certainly bottomed out. Economists now expect Washington to be one of five states leading the national recovery… but that is only the good news. Too many families won't see relief any time soon. Unemployment will remain tragically high for much of next year. We will all have neighbors in need for a long time as the crises slowly recedes.
I'm also deeply troubled that state revenues are expected to fall another $238 million in this budget cycle. This figure hugely understates the problem: It doesn't include billions of dollars lost earlier in the recession, and it doesn't reflect much higher mandatory state costs for increased recession-driven needs, such as unemployment compensation or the cost of educating all of the children who are leaving private schools for public schools as families try to stay afloat.
The bottom line is that state officials will likely call for additional cuts of $800 million to $1 billion from education, health care, the social safety net and other important services. This is on top of billions of dollars slashed earlier this year. When I think about all the hardships I've heard from teachers, senior citizens, people with disabilities, college students facing closed classes and higher tuitions, and many others who have been hurt by state budget cuts, the prospect of more budget pain is heart wrenching.
Clearly, we must prioritize and make even better use of public-private partnerships, performance audits and other tools to increase government efficiency and make limited dollars go farther. We also need to look at new revenue options that the public will support and which will help ensure that we are able to fully fund our public schools and provide critical services to those most in need. We will get through this, but we must work together to minimize the pain of the recession.
Education: We MUST do better
Last week, I attended an all-day meeting of State Representatives who believe that improving policies and funding for public schools must be a top priority in 2010 – and beyond. I'm excited by some of the new strategies we're examining for funding school construction (with less burden on local property taxes), making better use of technology, reducing the dropout rate and achievement gap, replacing the WASL, rewarding top teachers, and improving links between preschool, public schools and higher education. These strategies will be fleshed out in the months ahead.
I have to say, though, some lawmakers still don't "get it" – they seem to think the paramount duty of the state to provide for basic education doesn't apply during economic downturns. But as any teacher or administrator will tell you, the damage done by underfunding schools in a recession doesn't go away when prosperity returns. Kids don't get to relive school years, and when talented but frustrated teachers leave for other careers they rarely return.
This year, the first day of school was also the day a lawsuit was filed to challenge state underfunding of schools as a violation of the Constitution. We shouldn't need lawsuits to tell us our duty. We must find a better way to improve school funding. It is time to find the courage to do what we know is right.
Save the Date: Special Joint Town Hall on Education Funding
Please join me and your local Seattle Public Schools Board Directors Sherry Carr and Peter Maier for a first ever "Joint Town Hall Meeting" to discuss funding for Seattle Public Schools. 7:00pm, Tuesday, October 20th at Olympic View Elementary, 504 NE 95 ST. More details to come.
We hope to see you there!
School of the Month: Broadview-Thomson K-8
One of my favorite parts about being your State Representative is the opportunity to meet with young people to discuss issues and answer their questions about government. Kids are naturally inquisitive and have a tendency to "call it like they see it". Near the end of the last school year I had the wonderful opportunity to visit Ms. Sumner's 5th grade class at Broadview-Thomson K-8 School to hear presentations by students and talk about the job of legislator.
Please contact my office if you would like me to come meet with your child's class or school. Also, I regularly meet with local neighborhood groups and constituents in the 46th legislative district. Just give us a call or send an email and we'll work to set it up.
Thank you for your interest in state government and for subscribing to my E-memo. Your input is important to me and is key part of the democratic process. As always, please contact my office anytime with questions, ideas or concerns.
Sincerely,
Scott White
State Representative 46th Legislative district
PS – You can learn more about the legislature and my work to serve you by visiting my legislative homepage at:
http://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/white/
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· To contact me directly, please send an email to white.scott@leg.wa.gov or call our district office at (206) 366-7830.
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