House Softens Blow for K-12, Rolls out Big Cuts for Higher Ed

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By Chelsea Kopta

Summary

The bleak budget news continued Tuesday as the house pitched its version, a day after the senate. Legislatures managed to split the damage down the middle, each trimming roughly $4 billion. Action News breaks down the differences.

Story Published: Mar 31, 2009 at 4:56 PM PST

TRI CITIES -- There was no doubt, cutting $4 billion dollars from the House budget was a dirty job. But someone had to do it.

"And it was one of the most emotional moments and I tried to keep it together," Shelton Representative Kathy Haigh said.

Democrat Haigh didn't hide her emotions when doling out the damage since, together, the budgets scenarios were staggering: roughly 6,000 teacher job losses, millions in education cutbacks, and huge tuition hikes.

"The truth is, this budget is asking our teachers and our school districts to give up a tremendous amount," Haigh said.

But if ever there was a fight to be had in Olympia, school funding is it. The house eased up on K-through-12 sparing $252 million compared to the senate, but made up for it with drastic $683 million cuts to higher education.

"It was also a surprise, as the senate budget was a surprise in comparison to the governor's budget," Yakima School District Superintendent Ben Soria said.

Another glaring difference is levy equalization, the cash that compensates property-poor districts. The house isn't cutting a single dollar. In fact, it wasn't even on the table.

"It was a nice surprise," Soria said.

But the senate threatens to cut up to 75 percent, potentially delivering a lethal blow to eastern Washington districts.

"We would probably face the closure of two of our school districts, Prosser and Kiona-Benton," Representative Larry Haler said "It would devastate those school districts."

"It about knocked me out with the senate there because potential there is $11 million," Soria said.

Even if levy-equalization doesn't close schools other harsh cuts could cripple districts. Jobs, furloughs, fewer hours worked -- the house will let school leaders to decide how to tighten the belt.

Some are still holding out hope.

"I believe the house levy equalization package will prevail," Haler said.

Now, both sides have the tough task of trying to come to a compromise. The last day of session is April 26th.

Action News tried talking to folks at the Prosser and Ki-Be schools but they're on spring break.

RESOURCES:

Washington Legislature:
http://www.leg.wa.gov/legislature

Washington State Public Affairs Network (to check out live broadcasts):
http://tvw.org/media/mediaplayer.cfm?evid=2009030212&CFID=3246073&CFTOKEN=24299167&bhcp=1