House Capital Budget Chairman Hans Dunshee today rolled out a proposal to issue $860 million in state bonds to pay for energy-efficiency upgrades at schools across the state.

He's calling for a referendum, meaning voters would get the final say in November.

The measure, which Hanshee bills as "The Jobs Act," is a slimmed-down version of his $3 billion bond proposal last year, which failed to pass the Legislature.

The idea is to put people back to work while also making public schools more energy efficient through new lighting, insulation and other upgrades. Dunhsee, D-Snohomish, said that such efficiency projects have been proven to pay for themselves in the long run.

He estimates his bill would create 38,000 jobs and save $190 million in energy costs.

"That's the mom, apple pie and baseball of politics," Dunshee said at a news conference this afternoon.

The money would be awarded in competitive grants to public school districts, colleges and universities. Dunshee had school district and contractor reps on hand to endorse his concept. Some had received a portion of the $17 million in grants Dunshee got in last year's capital budget as a sort of test run.

Of course, in some cases, local school districts have relied on those state grants to patch up schools that local voters have refused to ante up for.

Thomas O'Brien, director of facilities and operations for the South Kitsap School District, said his district was thrilled to receive $500,000 in state money to replace the HVAC system in an elementary school, and install efficient lighting and low-flow urinals and toilets in other schools.

O'Brien acknowledged that some of those improvements had been in a bond measure rejected by South Kitsap voters a few years ago.

Dunshee said his plan would encourage local districts to pay their fair share by favoring districts that come up with matching funds.

In South Kitsap's case, O'Brien said, the state's $500,000 grant is being matched with other funds to pay for $1.2 million worth of projects.

Dunshee said he plans to hold a public hearing on his bill next Wednesday.