Sen. Fred Jarrett, a candidate for King County Executive, gave a wrap-up of the legislative session and shared a few campaign goals to the Greater Redmond Chamber of Commerce members at their May 20 luncheon.
Although decisions made in this legislative session included “the largest cuts in state budget in my lifetime,” Jarrett said the passage of House Bill 2261 was a positive step toward education reform in Washington state.
The bill defines what is needed as “basic education” in our public schools, including more transparent information “to make it meaningful to parents” when explaining such factors as the effects of class size and what kind of people and supplies are needed to better serve students.
“This will take a number of years to be phased in,” said Jarrett, a Democrat representing the 41st Legislative District, which includes a portion of Bellevue.
But more attention will be directed toward teacher certification and performance standards — as well as a move toward requiring high school students to earn 24 credits to graduate.
Jarrett cited a recent study of high schools by US News & World Report. Schools which received a gold rating typically had seven class periods a day. Schools rated silver averaged six-and-a-half class periods daily and those rated bronze averaged six-and-a-quarter class periods daily.
Washington schools will be moving from five hours of classroom time per day to six, to better prepare them for college or the workplace.
Jarrett also praised the passage of the bill to start construction of the new State Route 520 floating bridge and put tolls on the bridge to pay for construction.
Tolls will be collected electronically with enforcement carried out by photographing license plates. Jarrett believes tolling will eventually replace gas taxes as a means to fund roads, especially as electric cars become more common.
Deciding to build a deep-bore tunnel in Seattle, to replace the aging Alaskan Way Viaduct, was another highlight of the legislative session, Jarrett said.
Burrowing under the city where no other activities will be disrupted is an advantage, as is the fact that there will be no mitigation of “a torn-up waterfront … the most beautiful waterfront in North America,” he added.
He also looks forward to improvement in the state’s foster care system, including more performance measurement for administrators and nonprofits handling caseloads.
Introducing his campaign priorities, Jarrett said restoring “fiscal responsibility” to the management of King County is a top priority. He pointed to the growing cost of Brightwater, the new wastewater treatment facility and also mentioned the failure of the county’s animal control system.
He said he wants to make the county a “place where people want to invest” as well as a place “where residents can earn a living wage.”
Making Metro Transit into “a world-class transportation agency” is another priority. He said the push for more foot ferries has wasted time and resources which would be better spent on improving bus service — which would reduce traffic gridlock and help the environment.
Mary Stevens Decker can be reached at mdecker@redmond-reporter.com
For more information, see Jarrett’s campaign web site.
