Legislative Session Ends with Major Regional Investments

2022 Legislative Session Concludes with Major Regional Investments

by Doug Mah, Doug Mah & Associates, Thurston Chamber Public Policy Director

On Thursday, March 10, 2022, the Washington State Legislature conclude their 60-day session. The end of the “short” or mid-biennium session brought significant investments to address Interstate-5 and chronic homelessness – both high priority items for the Thurston Chamber of Commerce and the Thurston Region Shared Legislative Partnership.

Investments totaling $75 million in the State Transportation Budget were appropriated to Interstate 5 and the Nisqually Delta. This is a long-standing problem and project for the region. New funding supports the design, engineering, and right of way phases to replace the Nisqually River bridges and addresses salmon habitat and flood risk issues. Funds will also complete the 507-510 Loop and Roundabouts.

Other investments of more than $850 million in capital and operating funds went to address homelessness across the State. This problem was a shared priority for communities around the State in 2022. New resources support the rapid conversion of property into enhanced emergency shelters, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, permanent housing, and youth housing. Communities received resources to fund housing projects that move individuals from unsanctioned encampments and public rights-of-way into transitional and more permanent housing options. Investments are also made in the Housing Trust Fund for the production and preservation of affordable housing units serving low-income and special needs populations along with essential wrap-around services for those experiencing homelessness.

Locally, $200,000 in new resources were received to support the Craft Brewing and Distilling: Business Startup/Accelerator Space in the rapidly growing Craft District in Tumwater. State funds will help offset the initial cost for short-term start up space and business accelerator support for South Puget Sound Community College students and entrepreneurs to successfully launch businesses into the rapidly the growing commercial craft beverage industry.

Each year, the Public Policy Division of the Thurston Chamber convenes the Shared Legislative Partnership. The Partnership works to advance regional priorities during the Legislative session. These priorities, when approved, provide multiple and broad benefits to the entire region due to the significant scope and impact across and between entities.

The Chamber is pleased to work with South Puget Sound Community College, the Cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, and Thurston County, the Port of Olympia, the Thurston County Economic Development Council, and Thurston Regional Planning Council to address the needs of our region.

(Continued from page 4) Adopting a balanced calendar will require bold and strong community agreement on the importance of success for all students. The Thurston Chamber is confident that changing the academic calendar is the right thing to do to ensure all students succeed and that the time to make this change is today. Please join the Thurston Chamber in our support and endorsement to adopt a balanced calendar.

WHY BALANCE THE SCHOOL YEAR?

The traditional school year in the K-12 system is 180 days and includes a few short breaks and a longer 11- week break in the summer. Research shows that students fall behind during long summer breaks and that learning loss is especially significant for students from low-income families. By the fifth grade, the cumulative effect of this learning loss for low-income students can mean they are two to three years behind their middle-income peers. Additional research indicates that students living in a low-income situation should not have more than 8 weeks away from school.

To address the overall learning loss among students, school districts, including the North Thurston Public Schools and Olympia School District, are considering changing the 180-day school year so that the calendar is more evenly distributed across the 12-month calendar. This “balanced calendar” would shorten the summer break and establish longer breaks in the fall, winter, and spring. In districts that have adopted a balanced calendar, the summer break continues to be the longest break.

Research and experience in districts that adopted a balanced calendar show improved academic success for students; reduced summer learning loss; and provided more school/life balance over the year for staff, families, and students. In many examples, the balanced calendar offers new learning opportunities for students and staff with more breaks throughout the year.

Local adoption of a balanced calendar will improve overall academic performance for students and appears to provide significant benefits for students from low-income families and communities that do not have access to private educational and enrichment activities. Often, these low-income families are also disproportionately comprised of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Adopting a balanced calendar will address student equity issues; create more equitable classroom experience; and provide better overall student achievements for the community and workforce.

It is anticipated that the North Thurston Public School Board will decide to adopt or reject a balanced calendar in May 2022. If the Board of Directors votes to adopt a balanced calendar the district will begin work to implement the new calendar in 2023.

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