May 5, 2009

Dear friends and neighbors,

A week ago Sunday, April 26, the 2009 Legislature adjourned sine die after being in session for 105 days. From the first day of the session, which began Jan. 12, my Republican colleagues and I said the Legislature should roll up its sleeves right away and begin addressing the budget crisis, which eventually rose to a $9 billion deficit. Instead, the majority party waited until the final week of session to come to an agreement on the state operating budget. Plus, many other important items were put on hold until the final hours of the legislative session, leaving lawmakers to scramble at the last minute. 

Republicans received the 515-page budget document the morning of April 24. It was the first time we were allowed to see the final budget. We were told to have amendments turned in by 2 p.m. that afternoon and then the House would be voting on the bill by late afternoon/early evening. It was next to impossible to know what the budget contained before we were to vote on it. I believe it does a disservice to the citizens of Washington when we are expected to vote on a $34 billion state operating budget when the document is still warm from the copy machine.

Most disturbing was a $60 million cut in levy equalization money. This money allows rural school districts which have a lesser tax base to provide the same quality education as those school districts in the more affluent parts of the state. Many of our local school districts in the 39th District rely on the state match and a 12 to 16 percent cut would be devastating to them. Read my press release. This was one of several reasons why I voted against the budget.

The levy equalization issue came up again on the final night, just four hours before adjournment, as the House considered House Bill 1776 which would implement the policy to make the levy equalization reductions. Republicans put up a hard fight on the House floor to stand up for the education of our children and we strongly opposed the levy equalization cuts. Our strong voices against these cuts caused the House speaker to end the debate and defer action on the bill. Time ran out at midnight before the bill could be brought back for consideration.

So now the governor is considering whether to call the Legislature back for a special session -- at more than $18,000 a day -- so that rural school districts already struggling can be cut even more. Republicans are ready to fight against it and we have asked the governor to refrain from a special session. Read our press release.

We have posted a report on the proposed levy equalization cuts to school districts. You can download it by clicking here.

I encourage you to contact the governor and leaders in the House and Senate and ask them not to approve these devastating cuts to our local schools.

• Governor - (360) 902-4111

• Senate majority leader - (360) 786-7604

• House speaker - (360) 786-7920

• Toll-free legislative hotline - 1-800-562-6000

I will continue to keep you posted on this and other issues important to our district. Thank you for your participation in your government.

Sincerely,
 

Rep. Dan Kristiansen