OLYMPIA…Sen. Phil Fortunato has introduced legislation that would give school districts the authority to seek waivers from burdensome state regulation.

“We keep giving schools more money, but a lot of that money never makes it to the classroom,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “Instead, schools spend too many tax dollars complying with rules that don’t enhance the educational experience for our kids.”

Since 1978, there have been 1,477 permanent rules and regulations placed on public schools in the state. That is an average of 39 new rules every year.

Senate Bill 5562 would allow school boards to apply for waivers from state regulations that they felt did not provide an education benefit. Principals would have the ability to seek waivers directly from the school district for their respective schools.  The school board would then be required to submit to the state a list of waivers that were requested.

“Right now nobody can tell me what rules work for our schools and which ones don’t.  I want to fix that,” Fortunato said. “Teachers and principals are on the ground; they know what works in their schools, and this gives them an opportunity to tell us if something doesn’t work.”

Schools could not be granted waivers for rules and regulations that involve the health and safety of students or have to do with parents’ rights.

Fortunato added, “I fully expect we will learn that some rules are beneficial in urban areas but aren’t beneficial in rural areas, and vice versa. That is very valuable information. This simple idea will go a long way to reduce the cost of education and increasing the educational experience for Washington students.”

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OLYMPIA…Sen. Phil Fortunato has introduced a bill that would provide housing assistance to educators in school districts with high housing costs.

“Seventeen years ago I proposed a similar housing allowance to address the inequity of teacher salaries in higher cost-of-housing areas, and nothing has changed,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn.  “I want to do more to recruit and retain the best teachers in these school districts. If teachers cannot afford to live near their districts how can we expect them to stick around?”

Senate Bill 5534 would give teachers and administrators, in districts with above-average housing costs, an annual-income supplement of up to $10,000. The stipend would begin in the 2017-2019 school year and would be adjusted for regional differences in housing costs.

Fortunato’s proposal is part of the broader effort he and other Republican senators are making to recruit and retain teachers and eliminate inequalities in Washington’s public-education system.. The centerpiece of their work is the Education Equality Act, a student-centered, teacher friendly plan just introduced by the Senate Majority Coalition Caucus. More about the plan can be found at: fullyfundeducation.org.

“Housing costs take up a significant portion of teacher salaries,” Fortunato said. “This should help ease that burden. Teachers should be able to focus on educating our students, not worry about making their mortgage payments.”

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OLYMPIA… Sen. Phil Fortunato today introduced legislation that would repeal a host of state laws he sees as unnecessary, redundant, or wasteful. When Fortunato was appointed to the Senate on Jan. 7 he listed his top legislative priority as protecting both the taxpayer and the American worker. This is the first in a series of bills Fortunato will sponsor aimed at eliminating unnecessary laws and regulations.

“The most common statement my constituents make is ‘we just have too many laws’, and I agree” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “While other legislators talk about how many laws they pass, I am focused on repealing the unnecessary and wasteful laws that already exist.”

SB 5316 will repeal specific statutory tasks that have been completed or statutory authority that has not been used. The bill also would remove unnecessary language from the state code, making the laws that already exist easier for the public to understand.

“My top priority this session is protecting the Washington taxpayer,” Fortunato said. “Repealing costly and unnecessary state laws is a good first step.”

King and Pierce County councils fill vacancy left by former Sen. Pam Roach’s resignation

Phil Fortunato was sworn in today as the 31st Legislative District’s state senator. He took the oath of office after the King and Pierce County councils voted to appoint him to the position made vacant by former Sen. Pam Roach’s resignation earlier this week.

“Pam Roach did such a remarkable job for our district and the people of Washington,” said Fortunato, R-Auburn. “I am honored to receive this appointment and look forward to fighting on behalf of taxpayers and the American worker on day one.”

Fortunato will serve on three Senate committees: Financial Institutions and Insurance, Natural Resources and Parks, and Transportation.

Fortunato has been a contractor for over 30 years, starting his first business at age 18, and is a recognized expert in Clean Water Act compliance. He and his wife, Suzanne, live in Auburn and have five children.

The 31st District comprises parts of King and Pierce counties and includes the communities of Auburn, Edgewood, Sumner, Lake Tapps, Bonney Lake, Enumclaw, Buckley, South Prairie, Wilkeson and Carbonado.

The 2017 legislative session convenes Jan. 9 and will last 105 days.