Legislature passes first bill of session: A plan to fix how the state pays for public schools



SEATTLE (AP) — The Legislature has passed its first bill of the session: A plan to fix the way the state pays for public schools.

The proposal approved Thursday in the House aims to finish the Legislature's work on a Supreme Court order to fully pay for basic education.

The court ruled in 2012 in the so-called McCleary decision that that state education system relies too much on the money raised by local levies.

The measure, Senate Bill 6195, which passed on a vote of 66-31, is headed for the governor's desk.

The bill has gotten mixed reviews from lawmakers in both parties, because many feel it does not go far enough.

The measure would establish a task force to find state dollars to pay for public schools and instructs the 2017 Legislature to finish the work.