Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, issued this statement today upon the Legislature’s passage of the 2016 Operating Budget.

“You never get everything you want with a budget, but that’s the nature of compromise. While I’m disappointed we didn’t make bigger strides, particularly when it comes to making sure our schools have the funds they need, as one of four budget leads I’m pleased we were able to make some progress.

“First, we were able to make modest steps to address teacher recruitment and retention through investments in mentoring programs for new educators and increased training for paraeducators.

“Second, this budget begins to address the growing homelessness crisis in Washington state by investing in emergency residential services and beds, and providing more resources to local governments to help people who face homelessness transition into permanent housing.

“I’m also extremely proud I was able to secure $1.5 million in the capital budget to increase beds dramatically for the homeless, particularly youths, and those suffering from mental illness in Bellingham.

“Third, this budget provides resources to begin closing the educational opportunity gap for low-income students and students of color, so that all kids have an opportunity to be successful.

“Fourth, we increased critical investments in mental health services, including additional state hospital staff, mobile crisis teams and crisis triage beds.

“Last but not least, this budget provides wage increases for some of the lowest paid early learning and family child care workers.

“We negotiated hard and we made some progress, but our work is not done. When we return in 2017, we will face continued challenges in all of these areas because this budget does not do enough.

“We must do far more to address homelessness and educational funding. We need giant leaps, not baby steps, when it comes to fully funding education. We must also give all Washingtonians a safe and warm place to sleep, particularly the 35,000 homeless children on our streets.

“I was also very disappointed we were not able to address the massive, looming funding cuts that all of our schools will face due to the ‘levy cliff.’ While we were able to move a strong, bipartisan measure out of the House, we could not get it through the Senate’s Republican majority.

“We have our work cut out for us when we return in 2017. And I look forward to renewing my efforts in these areas that are so critical for so many Washingtonians.

“While some argue that a budget is not a statement of values, I believe the budget is our strongest values statement and must truly represent the priorities of all Washingtonians.

“I will never stop working to improve the lives of the people I represent. It remains an incredible honor to serve in the Washington State Senate, and I’m very much looking forward to being back in the district soon.”