Statement from Rep. Mark Hargrove on Fund Education First bill hearing
Searching for a solution to stop budget writers from treating K-12 basic education the same as other state programs and ensure the Legislature complies with the state constitution by making education the first priority in the budgeting process, Rep. Mark Hargrove has co-sponsored Fund Education First legislation.
House Bill 2533 would require K-12 basic education to be funded in a separate budget and signed into law by the governor before other state programs and agencies are allocated tax dollars. The legislation received a public hearing today in the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee. After the hearing Hargrove, R-Covington, issued the following statement:
“I was really encouraged to see the overwhelming support for the Fund Education First legislation in the House Education Appropriations and Oversight Committee this morning. I have to believe the people of Washington state would be thrilled to no longer have our children’s education held hostage for a tax increase, but to have it fully paid for first. My hope is that this idea of funding the priorities of government first will be implemented throughout the budget, so all the true priorities of government are funded before the less essential items.”
