The Associated Press

OLYMPIA — The state Legislature has approved a measure that lets cash-strapped school districts ask voters for additional money.

On a 29-19 vote today, the Senate passed the measure lifting the levy lid from 2011 to 2017. The House passed the measure last month. It now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire.

Under current law, most districts may raise up to 24 percent of their budget through levies. The bill raises the levy lid by 4 percentage points, from 24 to 28 percent. Districts grandfathered in at higher rates can also raise their levies by 4 percent.

The bill also would increase the levy equalization rate from 12 to 14 percent. This is the amount the property tax poor districts get from the state in addition to what they can raise locally.