— from WA Senate Communications —
Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-Orcas Island, voiced strong opposition against the Republican proposal that reduces funding for more than half of our state’s students, while significantly raising property taxes in numerous communities around the state. Sen. Ranker released this statement:
“Students, parents, teachers and principals demand that we amply and fairly fund our schools, right now. Unfortunately, under this proposal, 605,000 children – that’s more than half of the students in this state – will have less funding going to their schools than they do today.
“In fact, according to data from nonpartisan staff, 57% or 605,000 students will see less money coming to their schools than they do today. This means a student with an asthma attack may not have a nurse. The student who will be the first in their family to go to college may not have a guidance counselor to help them. The students struggling in reading may not have the critical, individual support they need, and shockingly, under the Republic proposal, the person teaching our children is not even required to have a teaching certificate.
“We can and we must do better than this. It is time for us to come together in a bi-partisan manner and create a proposal that not only fully funds our children’s schools but also ensures they are thriving, robust opportunities for education.
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This is so important. The ability to have highly trained teachers and funding for education shapes our future
Thirty-five years ago, yes, 35, when I was on the Orcas School Board, WA. State was debating the funding of basic education. Fast forward to 2017 when my son is on the same School Board, our State is still discussing school funding. The State Constitution states that all, every individual student, shall have an equal educational opportunity and that such opportunity be fully funded. If nothing else is accomplished in our State, our legislators must assure that that requirement is fully met.
There can be no excuses. The future belongs to the young. If my grandchildren are not fully and adequately prepared to participate in an increasingly complex society, the we, the older generations, have failed to meet our responsibilities.
The State Supreme Court has ruled that these actions and remedies SHALL be implemented. If the Court ruling is not met this year, then I would hope and support having all wages and compensation for State legislators be suspended.
Now that is a great idea Ed. I wonder who could make that Ruling? S Eagle
I expect that, in the event that the Legislature does not comply with the provisions of the McCleary decision to fully fund basic education, then the State Supreme Court could impose whatever consequence it chose upon the Legislative branch and its individual members. Financial penalties tend to get everyone’s attention quickly. BANG; no compliance, no wages !!!
This must be the measure that AWOL State Senator Doug Ericksen from Ferndale bragged about passing after flying back belatedly from the Other Washington, where he is helping to gut the EPA, to give the Republicans the needed majority.
We need to see this Trump toady removed from office.
If the Republican proposal doesn’t fully fund K-12 then lets see the Democratic proposal. There must be one after all this time, right?