The Washington State Legislature meets every year, beginning the second Monday in January. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature’s regular session lasts 105 days and in even-numbered years it lasts 60 days. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have policy committees that meet on early learning issues:
- The House Early Learning & Children’s Services Committee, and
- The Senate Early Learning & K-12 Education Committee
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2261, which passed during this year’s legislative session, outlines a plan for reforming public education in Washington. In Governor Chris Gregoire’s veto message for section 115 of the bill, she asked the Department of Early Learning (DEL) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to work together to bring a proposal forward that would ensure all Washington children have the benefit of early childhood education. The Governor has followed up with a more detailed letter to Superintendent Randy Dorn and DEL Director Bette Hyde outlining her expectations and timeline for this proposal. Our two agencies will be working intensively and inclusively in the coming months to fulfill the Governor’s request for a final report to be submitted to her by December 1, 2009.
Click here for weekly updates during legislative session on issues related to early learning.
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Click here for information on the Governor’s budget proposal and the Legislature’s budget deliberations.
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Click here for links to DEL reports to the Governor and Legislature.
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