School levies could get easier to pass

Its supporters say schools need help, and a statewide measure on the ballot next month will aid kids by making it easier to pass levies to pay for teachers, athletics and school buses.

Opponents of the measure — House Joint Resolution 4204 — argue that it will also make it easier for school districts to raise more tax money and that more than 98 percent of levies already pass within the two attempts state law allows each year.

Voters will decide Nov. 6 whether to lower the passing percentage from a 60 percent supermajority to a simple majority, 50 percent plus one vote.

The Legislature passed the resolution to amend the state Constitution, leaving it for voters to ratify or reject the ballot proposal.

Debate over whether to let school levies pass with a simple majority swirled around the Legislature for decades. It took a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate to send the measure to the ballot, where it will need a simple majority to pass.

Backers of the measure say too much is at stake not to campaign hard.

“Levies pay for necessities,” said Tracy Greene, a mother with two school-age children in the Edmonds School District. “There are no extras. There are no goodies. There is no cream. Schools are funded to the bare minimum.”

Louise Uriu, president of the Everett PTSA Council and a mother with two children at Everett High School, said changing state law to allow a simple majority for school levies has been a long-term goal of the state PTA.

To her, the 60 percent threshold to pass a school levy is a matter of fairness. While public votes to support hospitals and build stadiums require a simple majority, school measures require 60 percent.

“To give more power to a ‘No’ vote than a ‘Yes’ vote to fund education just doesn’t seem fair to me,” she said.

The campaign has broad-based support, including school boards, PTAs, labor groups, Gov. Chris Gregoire and all six of Washington’s former governors who are living.

Opponents say there is good reason to keep a 60 percent supermajority.

“Everybody refers to it as simple majority, but it’s not a simple issue,” said state Rep. Ed Orcutt, R-Kalama.

Orcutt said he has always supported local school levies, but thinks the resolution makes it too easy to raise taxes.

“We don’t have a crisis in this state that merits a change to a statewide policy, especially one that is embedded in our constitution,” he said.

Sen. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, said voters had good reason in setting the bar higher for school levies years ago.

“This is going to allow much larger levies to pass and it’s going to make housing less affordable to seniors and working families,” she said.

Holmquist also said it could create inequities among districts that can pass larger levies and those that can’t.

“Our paramount duty is to fund education for all Washington children,” she said. “I don’t think the quality of your child’s education should depend on where you attend school. I think 4204 hurts our children by widening the disparities in per-pupil funding based on local property wealth.”

School districts turn to voters every one to four years to pass levies, which provide additional funds for such things as more teachers and aides, salary increases, athletics and other programs, transportation and building maintenance. Levies account for about 16 percent of school district budgets statewide, but that percentage can vary from district to district.

Unlike school bond measures, levy proposals renew an existing tax. School bond measures pay for construction of new buildings and remodeling of old ones and are included in a separate ballot measure. They represent a new tax and would continue to need a 60 percent supermajority for approval.

People For Our Public Schools, a campaign committee favoring HJR 4204, has raised more than $2.3 million, according to Washington Public Disclosure Commission records. There was no organized opposition raising money to fight the ballot measure.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.