| WSSDA Daily Legislative Update – 2008
Session
REPORT FOR JANUARY 25
|
| On Friday
afternoon, the House Capital Budget Committee held a work session to
discuss Skills Centers. John Aultman, OSPI, and a group of
superintendents provided an update on ongoing feasibility studies to
expand the number of Skills Centers. They also discussed opportunities
for Skills Centers to provide access in rural and remote areas through
satellite and/or branch campus programs. Legislators, especially
members on the House Capital Budget, continue to be very supportive of
Skills Centers and it appears hopeful that new Skills Centers will
continue to be brought online.
Also this afternoon the House
Education Committee held a public hearing on five bills: HB 2679,
HB 2808, HB 2811, HB 2826 and HB 2918.
- HB 2679 would create a
series of programs to improve educational outcomes for students in
foster care.
- HB 2808 would provide for
enhanced counseling and other opportunities to assist students who
have completed high school graduation requirements except the
passage of the WASL.
- HB 2811 would create the
Healthy Student Grant Program for school districts and
community-based organizations to offer innovative instruction and
activities in health, fitness and nutrition.
- HB 2826 is a
comprehensive bill to expand secondary career and technical
education programs.
- HB 2918 would enact the
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.
The Compact is intended to remove barriers to educational success
faced by children of military families because of frequent moves and
deployment of their parents.
Next week — the third week
of the 2008 Regular Session — will continue to be fast-paced, as
legislative committees continue to hear many bills, but also begin to
move to executive action and pass bills out of committee. Legislators
are racing to move priority bills before the first of many
self-imposed "cut-off" dates arrive. All bills must be out of their
original house policy committee by February 8 in order to remain
alive. |
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Legislative Reports are prepared by WSSDA's Governmental Relations staff team:
Dan Steele (360/252-3010) and
Sheila Chard (360/252-3011). If
you have questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us.
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