Sen. Mark Schoesler: “We still do not have accountability. This bill does not give us accountability … nobody is held accountable for poor performance in this bill, we just go on to study (the problem),” he said.

Sen. Tim Sheldon: Yesterday’s tax protesters “represent thousands more people across this state who care about dollars and cents,” he said. He is advocating for a “pay as you go” system, where the state doesn’t commit any money that it doesn’t have.

Sen. Chris Marr said he can’t support the bill because it represents aspirations — but without the money to fulfill those aspirations.

Sen. Randi Becker said she spoke to a school administrator who said if you don’t have the money, don’t pass the bill because it would amount to an unfunded mandate for schools.

Sen. Rosa Franklin: Said you don’t always have all the money for something when you make plans and set goals. She said this bill amounts to making a plan — and the state should get started on it now, not wait until they have the money.

Sen. Ken Jacobsen: He said there’s a saying — don’t jump for joy until you know the rug won’t be pulled out from under you. He said jumped for joy when he thought the Puget Sound would be cleaned, when he thought higher education would get better funding, and when he thought basic education would be reformed. This time, he said, he can’t summon the will.

Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles said she would have preferred the bill that came from the House. That said, “We have to move forward,” she said — even incrimentally.

Sen. Paul Shin: “When I first came to this country, I came with no education … My dream was to get education, go to college,” he said. He said he received that education, which has allowed him to serve in the Legislature. “You think education is expensive? I challenge you, try ignorance.”