Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 17, 2000
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke takes his education message to Tacoma

OLYMPIA — Gov. Gary Locke will continue a series of town hall meetings on education when he visits the Wilson High School library next Wednesday evening.

Locke will host a "conversation about the future of education" with local residents, parents, educators and civic leaders.

"We are facing choices now that will affect our education system for decades to come," Locke said. "This is a critical time for the future of education as we choose how we respond to the funding challenges of I-695."

The governor's budget now before the state Legislature begins a long-term plan to add more than $1 billion to local school funding over six years through a Learning Improvement Property Tax Credit. With the credit, local school districts would keep more than $1 billion of the property taxes paid in their communities, with no increase in taxes.

Locke's budget makes other education improvements, including:

1,000 new elementary school teachers by fall 2000 ($51.1 million).

investment in quality teaching, including competency testing for new teachers, a bonus for teachers who meet rigorous national certification standards and a Professional Standards Board for educators ($6.5 million).

school security grants for 48 additional school districts ($5.2 million).

expansion of Washington's Promise Scholarships, which help students who meet state academic standards afford college ($4.5 million).

The governor's budget also includes his plan in which future budget surpluses are divided between additional tax cuts and class-size reductions. If the economy performs well, as much as $1.4 billion of the dividends would be divided equally between tax relief and investment in quality education. At all times, the governor's plan stays within the I-601 spending limit and maintains a $600 million reserve.

The Feb. 23 town hall meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the high school's library, 1202 N. Orchard St. in Tacoma. A reception will follow the meeting.

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