This bill (sponsored by Capital Finance and Investment) identifies changes to revenue streams/percentages over the next five years.  WAM will monitor as a priority bill to ensure no changes or amendments are introduced that would impact local government's current allocations. 

This bill expands options for investing state funds which will impact the ability of local governments investments.

WAM Action Taken: 1/31/17 Laurie Heath attended JAC.  This bill provides flexibility of investments with reduced restrictions to allow adjustments to market conditions. 

This bill addresses education funding through revisions of the existing formula, provides for additional revenue through cut backs and 0.5% sales tax, establishes a joint select committee on funding, requires reports, provides appropriations, and provides for a sunset date.

WAM ACTION: 1/31/17, bill continued to be worked.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, after 3 hours of testimony and beginning to work the bill, the bill was laid back for a date and time to be determined.  Three parts to this bill 1) revenue increases, 2) reductions, 3) creation of a select committee. Education officials are concerned over more reductions, focus on students, special education needs, local boards make better decisions, recalibration.  Education funding is a $400m per year issue, and school funds are near broke if not broke.  Need to use rainy day funds to support education.

This bill relates to school financing, implementing a sales tax on specified services, provides for revenue distribution from the tax to the school capital construction account.

WAM ACTION: 1/30/17, bill failed 9-0. 

Bill supporting a special committee of experts to manage the state's investment

WAM ACTION: 3/1/17, bill passed House on second reading.