Debate on session’s biggest education bill begins…

The Senate has begun debating SB 2261, which would redefine basic education, setting Washington on course to steer more money into education over nearly a decade.

Democrats say it’s a long-needed overhaul to a funding system that largely dates back to the 1970s. Republicans say it’s a blank check, with no indication of how the state will pay the billions of dollars that the changes will entail.

“Nobody can tell us how much this bill will cost,” said Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville.