2006 Chair's Report
Washingtonians are
regaining their optimism. After being hard hit by the 2001-03
recession, our state economy is now outperforming the national
average. Job creation has been on the rise as nearly all sectors,
with the exception of manufacturing, are returning to pre-recession
employment levels. And, due in large part to a booming construction
and real estate sector, the state has seen repeated increases in
revenue projections throughout the last year.
Heartened by these
positive signs, and not having to deal with the deficits that
plagued Washington in recent years, state policymakers were able to
make laudable progress this year on education and transportation
policy, two issues that citizens perennially place high on their
priority lists.
Our elected leaders
upheld the state’s commitment to a quality education for every
student, maintaining the Washington Assessment of Student Learning
(WASL) as a high school graduation requirement, directing resources
to help students achieve academic standards, and providing
alternative options for students who struggle with the WASL.
Lawmakers made
progress on transportation policy, enacting legislation that
provides regional leaders in the Central Puget Sound with an
opportunity to put a comprehensive roads-and-transit ballot measure
before voters in 2007.
Policymakers also
made some headway on the state budget. They set aside more than $900
million of the $1.6 billion surplus to deal with future expenses,
and funded high priority items such as academic assistance for
struggling students and life sciences research and high-demand
enrollments at state universities. However, the state budget is far
from sustainable. Despite economic growth, our state faces a
projected deficit of $700 million in the next biennium.
Washingtonians have
reason to be optimistic. However, we do not have cause to be
over-confident or complacent. To be successful in the global
economy, we must continually refocus and make improvements based on
what it will take for Washington to be competitive with other states
and nations. This will require accountability and prioritization in
state government, more sustainable budgeting, improved education for
all students, and strategic investments in infrastructure and
research.
These goals are
demanding, but achievable. As we approach and benefit from each,
Washington will become a stronger competitor on the national and
global stage, thus making our state a better place to live, work and
raise a family.
Sincerely,
Steven R. Rogel, chair
EDUCATION: moving
toward a 21st century education for all
Lawmakers
recommitted to ensuring a quality education for all students by
maintaining the Washington Assessment of Student Learning as a
requirement for high school graduation and by providing funding to
help struggling students. In addition, students who struggle with
the format of the WASL will have alternative options for
demonstrating achievement and meeting the high school graduation
requirement.
It was encouraging
to see increased discussion this session about what it takes to move
students beyond the minimum skills measured on the WASL and prepare
them for work and college. To that end, the Roundtable will
continue to pursue legislation requiring a more rigorous default
curriculum, particularly in math and science, for all students. We
will also continue to advocate for creating learning opportunities
at the state’s community colleges for students who finish high
school having met all other graduation requirements, but have not
yet demonstrated achievement of the 10th grade standards.
The Roundtable also
applauds state leaders for investing this session in high demand
enrollments at our higher education institutions. Additional
funding for life sciences research and efforts to reduce math
remediation at our community colleges are also steps toward building
our economic foundation and better preparing young people for
success.
TRANSPORTATION:
planning for the future and protecting progress
Having made critical
investments in statewide transportation in 2003 and 2005, state
leaders this year took up the issue of regional transportation in
the Central Puget Sound. They enacted legislation that enables
regional leaders to put a comprehensive roads-and-transit investment
package before voters in 2007. This package will be necessary to
move forward with high priority projects such as the Alaskan Way
Viaduct and SR 520 bridge replacements.
With development of
the regional package underway, protecting current transportation
money and ensuring it is used wisely is of utmost concern. Last
fall, voters defeated Initiative 912, which attempted to eliminate
billions in transportation funding. This fall they may be asked to
do it again if Initiative 917 qualifies for the statewide ballot.
That measure would eliminate $2.7 billion in transportation dollars
and jeopardize hundreds of projects. Washington cannot afford to
undo the progress already made, which is why the Roundtable opposes
Initiative 917.
FISCAL
POLICY: sustainability problems persist despite state revenue growth
Lawmakers saved more
than $900 million of this year’s budget surplus for future use.
However, even with those savings and a strong economy, the state
will face a projected deficit of $700 million during the next
biennium. That is a result of unfunded liabilities and
unsustainable spending growth, particularly in high growth areas
like health care.
Health care costs
comprise 28 percent of state operating expenditures. Since 2000,
the state has shifted six percent of operating expenditures from
other priorities like education to cover growth in health care
spending. At this rate, health care is well on its way to consuming
the largest share of the state budget.
Washington will
continue to experience budget shortfalls and erosion of other
priority services unless it takes action to reduce growth in
fast-growing areas, and bring sustainability to the state budget.
The Priorities of Government budget process will be a valuable tool
in that effort.
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