February 28, 2007

OLYMPIA…An overwhelming 20 senators supported a bill to increase special education funding only see the measure die in today’s Senate Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee meeting.

“The majority of the committee agreed with the bill and we had such compelling testimony in favor of it, but then it didn’t move,” said Sen. Dale Brandland, prime sponsor of the bill.  “That’s just stunning to me.  I’ve never seen anything like it in a committee.”   

Senate Bill 6115 proposed to increase funding to the special education safety net and simplify its application process.   

Today was the Legislature’s first cutoff deadline and the last chance for most Senate committees to pass policy bills originating in the Senate.  Bills not voted out of committee are considered “dead,” and are denied the opportunity to be debated on the Senate floor.   

In addition to proposing increased special education funding, Brandland, R-Whatcom County, also proposed to increase funding to districts with high concentrations of poverty and provide salary bonuses to bilingual teachers using a second language to assist students.  

Those bills, SB 5943 and SB 5942, respectively, also had bipartisan support and were denied committee passage. 

“We are throwing money in every direction, yet we won’t stand up to fund one of the highest needs in our schools - special education and high-poverty districts,” Brandland said.  “We know that special education needs drain the core funding of our school districts, and we know that there is a direct correlation between low test scores and high poverty.  It seems like a no-brainer to support our schools’ ability to address these needs.”   

Speaking at this morning’s committee hearing, the chair of the committee said that bills were heard only out of “courtesy.” 

“I’m glad these bills received a hearing, but if you talk to your local school districts, they’re going to tell you that a hearing without passage is simply not enough,” Brandland said.  “We’re not completely dead in the water, but I am extremely disappointed.  I’m going to continue to explore other options to see if we can bring these policies back to life.  The kids who need this special education safety net are too important to give up on it.”    

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Sen. Brandland is Republican caucus whip and represents Washington’s 42^nd District, which includes Bellingham, Lynden and Blaine.   

For more information contact Catherine Trinh
(360) 786-7503