The big five

Education

Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to launch a slate of changes: phasing in all-day kindergarten, expanding prekindergarten learning programs, adding thousands more college students, increasing teacher pay and shrinking class sizes.

Where things stand: The House of Representatives is leaning toward reducing the 60 percent “supermajority” requirement to a simple majority for school-district levies, Speaker Frank Chopp said. But he said the House is likely to stick with the supermajority requirement for school bonds, which tend to be long-term debt for large building projects. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown also hinted that the Legislature could make some changes soon involving the funding formula for basic education, which school districts say is too low and far too complex.

Health care

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

Where things stand: A bill sponsored by Spokane Democratic Sen. Chris Marr to add more kids to state-run health coverage sailed through a Senate committee. But a similar version in the House caught flak from GOP lawmakers who worry about expanding state entitlements and who objected to covering more illegal immigrant children. With Republicans far outnumbered in the Statehouse, however, both bills are moving ahead.

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 businesses.

Where things stand: The House will soon take up an “innovation partnership zone” bill designed to spur local economies, Chopp said. Tax breaks – on farm equipment and zoos, among other things – are being discussed. The Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce led an 80-person delegation to Olympia last week, pressing for money for the North-South Freeway and a long list of education, transportation and civic projects.

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 Senate held an emotional hearing on the domestic partnership proposal Thursday.

Proponents said gays and lesbians deserve the same rights to make medical and funeral decisions about their partners that married people automatically get. Critics said that domestic partnerships would “water down” traditional marriage. Both Brown and Chopp said that it looks like the domestic partnership bill will be what the Legislature settles on this year.

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. Much of the discussion so far, however, has revolved around the Puget Sound’s woes. Also up for discussion this week: the future of hydrogen fueling stations for vehicles.