James Mackison — Staff to the committee, briefs the striking amendment and related amendments.
Jordan Clark — Named as present for the briefing.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Identified as the member who posted the striking amendment.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Representative Fitzgibbon is identified as the sponsor of MAC-445.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Joe Fitzgibbon is first recorded as voting aye, and shortly afterward is identified as bringing forward amendments. He then asks for the amendment number, indicating his involvement in the striking amendment process.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Moved amendment 445.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Recorded as voting aye.
SB6346 — Referenced as the contingent bill tied to the Running Start sunset provision.
SB6346 — The amendment's sunset and enrollment changes are contingent on enactment of Senate Bill 6346.
Mia Gregerson — Representative Mia Gregerson is identified as the sponsor of MAC-446 and is referenced again in connection with the related amendment, with the discussion continuing to note her role as the sponsor of the prior amendment.
Mia Gregerson — Recorded as voting aye.
Mia Gregerson — Addressed the committee as Vice Chair Gregerson in the transition to the next bill.
Mia Gregerson — Facilitated the procedural motion for the next bill and explained the order of motions.
Mia Gregerson — Introduced the next amendment withdrawal.
Mia Gregerson — Withdrew Amendment MAC 446.
Mia Gregerson — Asked for a no vote on Amendment Clark 356, saying adjustments had already been made to help school districts.
Travis Couture — The meeting continues a single amendment discussion centered on Representative Travis Couture’s proposals. He is identified as the sponsor or offerer of several related amendments, including Clark 356, MAC-442, Clark 354, and Clark 355, with the discussion focusing on how these amendments affect depreciation payments and the fiscal savings in FY27 and FY28.
Travis Couture — Travis Couture is first recorded as voting nay/do not pass, then later takes the floor to thank the chair and move Amendment Clark 356, arguing it is important for school districts, and subsequently moves Amendment Clark 354 to remove changes in the striking amendment.
Travis Couture — Explained the amendment and the current Running Start FTE level.
Travis Couture — Urged a no vote on the amendment.
Travis Couture — Moved amendment Clark 355 and explained it would restore the prior amendment's effect without assuming an income tax passes.
Travis Couture — Transcript says 'Representative Corey'; likely intended to be a member speaking in favor of the amendment, but the exact identity is uncertain.
Travis Couture — Opposed the striking amendment, saying it still does harm.
Travis Couture — Opposes the bill and raises concerns about alternative learning programs and other reductions.
Travis Couture — Opposes the bill, citing concerns about the impact on alternative learning programs (ALE).
Travis Couture — Argues the bill reduces ALE percentages and teacher pay.
Travis Couture — Says the bill removes inflationary increases to National Board bonuses and harms educators.
Travis Couture — Says cuts to TK pre-kindergarten will hurt young learners and communities.
Travis Couture — Says early learning helps students whose first language is not English.
Travis Couture — Argues TK supports children with disabilities and that the savings come at students' expense.
Travis Couture — Argues the savings are not real because costs will rise later and school districts rely on bus depreciation funds.
Travis Couture — Acknowledges some improvement from the striker and discusses Running Start funding.
Travis Couture — Describes how Running Start can expand college access for low-income students.
Travis Couture — Says the bill reduces opportunity for students and urges support for charter schools.
Travis Couture — Says charter schools are doing important work with little support and references $6 million in the budget.
Travis Couture — Argues the charter school funding amount is small and could fit within the ending fund balance.
Travis Couture — Argues budget cuts should not be made to school districts or constitutional K-12 duties.
Travis Couture — Says he proposed a budget framework without K-12 cuts and discusses the ending fund balance.
Travis Couture — Concludes by opposing the bill and urging mitigation of harmful impacts.
Travis Couture — The chair thanks Representative Couture after his remarks.
Travis Couture — Was thanked for prior remarks before the discussion continued.
Travis Couture — Recorded as voting nay/do not pass.
Travis Couture — Recognized for additional discussion after Dahlio's remarks.
Travis Couture — Urged a yes vote on Amendment McFadden 186, saying Eastern Washington people have expertise and knowledge.
Travis Couture — Representative Couture begins his remarks and says he is also urging a no vote.
Travis Couture — Representative Couture says the bill would create a new bureaucracy and would not solve transmission needs in his community.
Travis Couture — Representative Couture says a new agency would not solve permitting, environmental, or local delay problems.
Travis Couture — Representative Couture closes by urging a vote now and reiterating his opposition.
Travis Couture — Couture votes nay, do not pass.
Travis Couture — Invited to give closing comments and thanked the chair, vice chairs, and committee members for their work.