capitol watch
In Focus 2017 : McCleary Education Funding and the Budget
The state Supreme Court ’ s 2012 education funding ruling will reach its crescendo in the 2017 legislative session . But the task could prove to be both difficult and divisive .
Bobbi Cussins
Abide by the state constitution . That is the mandate the state Supreme Court sent to lawmakers in its 2012 education funding lawsuit ruling known simply as “ McCleary .” But , there ’ s nothing simple about it — at least not the final piece , levy reform , which could be poised to pit property-rich school districts against their property-poor neighbors . And , it could also lay the groundwork for talk of tax hikes on employers and individuals to fund schools .
at a glance
In the 2012 McCleary v . State of Washington education funding case , the state Supreme Court ordered the state to comply with the state constitution and fully and equitably fund the program of K-12 basic education as defined in House bills 2261 ( 2009 ) and 2776 ( 2010 ).
Since 2013 , the Legislature has allocated an historic $ 4.5 billion more toward K-12 education , funding pupil transportation , full-day kindergarten , K-3 class-size reductions and materials , supplies and operating costs , or MSOCs .
The final piece is levy reform , which will ensure the state takes full responsibility for teachers , classified staff and administrator salaries .
For more information on McCleary , educational outcomes and programs specifics , contact AWB Government Affairs Director Amy Anderson at AmyA @ awb . org . For information on the budget and tax implications of McCleary , contact AWB Government Affairs Director Eric Lohnes at EricL @ awb . org . Both can be reached at 360.943.1600 .
Stephanie McCleary and her children Kelsey and Carter are among the plaintiffs whose lawsuit led to the Supreme Court ’ s 2012 McCleary ruling that the state was not meeting its paramount duty under the state constitution to amply provide for the education of all children within its borders .
46 association of washington business