The Big Five

Here’s a look at five of the key issues in Olympia.

Education

Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to launch a broad slate of changes: phase in all-day kindergarten, expand pre-kindergarten learning programs, increase teacher pay and reduce class sizes.

Where things stand: So far, so good. Legislative leaders and key groups say they’re backing the changes. Republicans and some education-reform groups say the changes – and the proposed funding – are too narrow.

Health care

Lawmakers are considering adding 32,000 children to state-paid health coverage and spending $26 million during the next two years to increase childhood vaccinations.

Where things stand: Stay tuned. Other reforms are in the works – after months of study, a task force is slated to recommend changes this week.

The economy

From making health care cheaper to a “holiday” for some workers’ compensation costs, lawmakers and the governor say they want to help the cooling economy, particularly small business.

Where things stand: Republicans say they’ll push for some tax breaks, and the governor’s touting a series of changes, including new “business development centers” in places like Pullman and “innovation partnership zones” in places like Spokane that link researchers with international companies.

Same-sex marriage

Proponents want it, or at least domestic partnerships that would include many of the legal rights of married people. Critics are countering with a call to write the state law banning gay marriage into the state constitution – an unlikely move that would require approval from a legislative supermajority as well as voters statewide.

Where things stand: The marriage and domestic partnership bills are slated to be introduced Tuesday.

Environment

Gregoire has proposed spending $200 million toward the $9 billion problem of cleaning up Puget Sound, among other proposals.

Where things stand: Environmental groups are also pushing for a phaseout of toxic flame retardants, cleanup money for the Spokane River and other changes.