Short Description:
The fiscal committees in the Washington State Legislature (House Finance, House Appropriations, and Senate Ways and Means) not only look at the financial components of bills that are assigned to their committees, but the Chairs also compile all that information into three biennial budgets: Operating, Capital, and Transportation. Budget bills travel through the legislative process just like all other bills, and this week the Operating and Transportation budget proposals were released. Public hearings were held on Tuesday the 25th of March so that the public could share their support for, or disapproval of, what was, or was not, included in the budget. In this 6 minute video, we turn to our ever popular Parliamentarian, Mike Hoover, to explain what exactly the three budgets are, including how the Legislature knows how much money they have to spend. To compare this year's budget proposals, visit the Washington State Fiscal Information website. Stay tuned for next week’s video: Budgets 201, where we will explain, amongst other things, what a budget proviso is (and why they are important!).
Discussion Questions for the Classroom:
What is the single most important task the legislature must do?
How does the budget demonstrate the legislative priorities?
How many years must the legislature budget for?
How is the state budget different from your home budget?
How many budgets are there in Washington State? What are they? Why does Washington State separate them?
What types of programs are in the Operating Budget?
What tax sources fund the Operating Budget?
What types of programs are in the Capital Budget?
How is the Transportation Budget funded?
How does the legislature decide how much money the State has to spend?
What is the difference between the two forecasts?
How does the State make sure the budget is sustainable?
What are the steps of the budget process?
How is the budgetary process a clear example of checks and balances?
What powers do the chairs of the fiscal committee have?
What is a budget proviso?
Why does the budget bill almost always go to a conference committee?
What powers does the governor have when it reaches their desk?
More Learning resources:
📚Check out our other CIVICS CURRICULA for WA middle and high school teachers: https://www.teachwithtvw.org/lesson-plans/
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Other Teach With TVW Civics Videos
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🎬 Civics 101 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDcy6Oz3plxQCqpfNUb2HGf&feature=shared
🎬 Legislative Navigator https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SD-p5BHx443GTtGBp_DKQVT&feature=shared
🎬 Learning Modules - The Branches of WA State Government:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SBe_62ViakFyBCw4qah7eR7&feature=shared
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SDnVbfKeRWogOX6zU5BWw6b&feature=shared
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCYOl5u2wu52tt3G7sEmNTG&feature=shared
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Other Teach With TVW Civics Programs
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🙋Capitol Classroom - Bring the Legislative process into your classroom: https://teachwithtvw.org/civic-participation-in-the-classroom/
🙋On The Issues - Youth bring the questions to WA state leadership: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL75F8E2rv4SCiQlpeW9JwnJepn87zNpDT&feature=shared
🙋TVW CONNECTS - WA students engage in live Q&A with political leaders and experts:
https://teachwithtvw.org/tvw-connects-civic-engagement/
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