House, Senate Differ On School Enrollment

Thu., Feb. 15, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

Key legislative budget leaders agreed Wednesday on the twin goals of boosting public college enrollment and creating a new high-tech plan to link student and campus.

But they differed sharply over how far and how fast.

House Republicans proposed a more conservative approach to both major elements of the new higher education budget.

They suggested authorizing about 1,000 new college enrollment slots, less than a quarter of what the Senate has in mind. And the House suggested a more modest start-up for the Washington Higher Education Network and less for student financial aid.

The House offers $4.6 million in new student aid; the Senate number is $32.5 million. Lowry wants $21.6 million.

Overall, the Senate higher education budget is $74 million above the House level.

The Senate also proposes $66 million more for the K-12 system than the House does. The largest increases are for technology in the classroom and safety programs, including background checks for all school employees, security grants, and alternative education for expelled or disruptive students.

The Senate calls its overall education budget STAR: Safety in schools, Technology, Access to higher education, and Responsibility.

The House proposes $24 million for a variety of K-12 programs, including security guards, charter schools, literacy and efforts to ease hazardous walking conditions.

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