Sen. Frockt lauds governor’s budget proposal on K-12 education but wants more for higher ed

Sen. David Frockt, D-46

Democratic 46th District State Sen. David Frockt says that he supports the increased money for public schools in Gov. Christine Gregoire’s proposed budget but called for more money for higher education.

The outgoing governor released a proposed 2013-15 budget Tuesday, Dec 18.

Frockt released this statement later Tuesday:

“Gov. Gregoire's budget proposal is a constructive suggestion which reaffirms the importance of fully funding education.

 “Last year, the Washington State Supreme Court told us that we must increase our state spending on education by over $1 billion in the next budget alone. Since that decision, I've served on a bipartisan task force working to identify specific educational needs and ways to fund those needs. Monday, the task force agreed to make recommendations on those specific needs, like smaller class sizes and all-day kindergarten, and the governor's budget agrees with many of those findings. 

“I do have concerns that the governor’s budget proposal contains cuts to higher education and I believe we must make every effort to preserve higher education funding along with K-12 and early learning. I'm committed to continuing this work through the session and finding a solution that fulfills our responsibility to fully fund education.”

In the coming legislative session, Frockt and a Republican will co-chair a new select committee dedicated to solving the state’s education finance challenge. Frockt also will serve as the Democratic floor leader, the third ranking post in the Democratic leadership.  He will keep his position on the Senate Health Care Committee.

Frockt’s 46th Legislative District includes Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and northeast Seattle.