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Governor signs Schmick bills
Two measures sponsored by
9th District Rep. Joe Schmick became law March 20 during a bill-signing
ceremony in Spokane. Schmick, R-Colfax, was on hand as Gov. Christine
Gregoire formally approved the bills, which passed the Legislature
during the final week of the 2008 session.
House Bill 3129 will increase the availability of public
information to inform, encourage and assist high-school students who
live in rural and remote communities to participate – via the Internet –
in programs like Running Start to earn college credits.
Schmick introduced the bill with an eye toward ensuring that young
people who live in remote areas of the state have the information they
need to participate in distance-learning options that are available.
Under the legislation, the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction must compile and post information on its Web site about the
benefits of distance learning, and how to access Web-delivered courses.
Teachers and counselors also are required to have information about
online learning programs, and school districts must provide general
information to all 10th -, 11th - and 12th-grade students, and their
parents, on how to enroll and earn credits through online courses.
“The progression of Internet technology makes distance learning on the
Web a great alternative to attending classes in a conventional brick and
mortar classroom setting,” said Schmick. “The 9th District is one of the
biggest in the state and largely rural. This law provides a tool to help
bridge the gap between where people live and where educational
opportunities exist.”
The governor also signed into law House Bill 3200, a bipartisan
measure Schmick sponsored that will make it easier for counties to
establish local cemetery districts.
The bill decreases from 15 to 10 percent the number of voter signatures
required on a cemetery-district petition, and allows county
commissioners to put the proposal before voters as a ballot proposition
“The legislation was prompted by a situation in Asotin County, where
efforts to form a cemetery district fell short because supporters
couldn’t get the necessary number of petition signatures,” Schmick
explained. “By lowering the signature requirement, the cemetery
association will have a better chance of getting the proposal to the
ballot.”
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For more information, contact
Bill Taylor, Information Officer:
(360) 786-7074
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