2018 Washington Legislature faces heavy lifting on money for schools, construction projects, water rights law
Even-numbered years are supposed to give the state a shorter, 60-day session to tweak the budget and discuss policy changes, compared to the 105-day odd-year sessions that require the passage of the state's two-year budgets and major program or policy changes those budgets might support.
Last year, that meant a major revision in the state's public school system, and the way property taxes are collected to pay for basic education. The changes took years of study, discussion and negotiation, but when legislators passed them, many hailed the new system as a generational change in schools.
Some also hoped another generation of lawmakers would handle any changes.
But education is back on the Legislature's to-do list in 2018, along with things lawmakers didn't do in 2017. There are also some familiar topics mixed in with some new issues. Here's a list of issues to watch for the coming session:
Money
for public schools
The state Supreme Court said it liked what the Legislature did to improve the state's basic education system, which included more money for teachers and school staff and a new formula for state payments for students. But justices said the Legislature is doing some of that a year late.
Lawmakers spread out the increased money from the state over two years, in part because of differences among the state's fiscal year, the school districts' fiscal year, and the calendar year, which decides when property taxes are levied and collected. The justices said all of the money should be available by the start of the 2018 school year, a deadline lawmakers set for themselves several years ago. That deadline would require as much as
Figuring out where lawmakers might find that money, or alternatively, if they want to try to stall the court until 2019 when everything will be in compliance, will be a big part of the 2018 session. Gov.
A carbon tax or fee
Inslee will unveil next week what he has been calling a carbon pricing system. He has been looking for ways to attack carbon pollution for much of his time in office through taxes, fees or caps. In the past, the Legislature has not reacted enthusiastically to those proposals, although with
Carbon pollution and climate change
Whether or not Inslee can persuade the Legislature to approve a carbon tax or fee, lawmakers will be under pressure to address climate change and increases in carbon pollution, which is blamed for worsening wildfire seasons, low snowpacks, early melts and damaged shellfish beds. Lands Commissioner
Capital construction budget
Inslee said passing the capital budget should be the Legislature's "first order of business."
The Republican-led coalition no longer controls the
Water rights law
In 2017, the state Supreme Court put more responsibility on local governments to ensure that permits for new wells in rural or suburban areas won't draw too heavily on the water rights that guarantee supplies for existing wells. The
Lawmakers say they have been working on a compromise during the months between sessions. In what could be a sign they are serious about a Hirst fix,
Net neutrality
Members of both parties have proposals to guarantee access to the internet in the face of a
Net pens
A controversial aspect of
Opponents of the practice say it introduces pollution and non-native species that can affect an important ecosystem for
Gun control
Proposals to outlaw "bump" stocks, restrict the number of rounds a magazine can have, require tougher storage for guns in homes or stronger background checks for so-called assault weapons might all get hearings. The problem for gun legislation in the past has been getting through a House where
Their leaders also have been reluctant to force members to take a controversial vote on the issue when they suspected
Reproductive rights
Marijuana
Until Thursday, the 2018 session looked like one in which marijuana wouldn't be a major topic of discussion. That ended with
Lawmakers from both parties joined Inslee and state Attorney General
Sexual misconduct
Legislators and staff are undergoing mandatory sexual harassment training and an outside consultant is reviewing policies and procedures. Some lawmakers are saying sexual misconduct complaints against legislators shouldn't be protected by confidentiality agreements.
Lawmakers currently claim an exemption from the state's Public Records Act, which allows them to refuse the release of documents related to sexual misconduct, as well as other records like calendars. The legality of that exemption is being challenged by the state's news media, with a judicial ruling likely during the first month of the session. The side that loses, however, is likely to appeal.
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