House rejects an education funding boost; passes supplemental budgets after debate

On March 9 the House engaged in extended debate over HB 2, the public education budget amendments for the fiscal year. Representative Sampey and Representative Briscoe debated substitutes that would raise the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) by an additional percentage point. Briscoe argued the increase was modest and could be funded by reallocating designated tax-growth (TIF) funds; supporters called for additional investment in schools and cited teacher turnout at the Capitol.

Representative Briscoe said the first-substitute motion increases the WPU from 4% to 5% and proposed using a portion of income tax growth set-asides to fund it. Representative Moss urged colleagues to support further increases, saying, "There is nothing more important than funding public education right now this year." Opponents, including Representative Sompey and Representative Eliason, cautioned that the substitute would unbalance the budget and should be handled through committee and consensus adjustments.

After a failed voice vote and a later division tally, the substitute to move first substitute HB 2 did not pass; the House then proceeded to vote on HB 2 as presented. HB 2 ultimately passed the House with 63 yes votes and 10 no votes and will be transmitted to the Senate. Related bills, HB 3 (current fiscal-year supplemental appropriations) and HB 8 (state agency and higher education compensation), were also debated and later passed on the floor.

What’s next: HB 2, HB 3 and HB 8 are transmitted to the Senate for consideration; final funding levels and any statutory changes will depend on conference or further negotiation.

Attribution: Floor remarks and vote tallies are from the House floor transcript, March 9, 2015.