In the past 33 years, according to the Everett Herald’s May 12 “Need to Know” section, the Democrats have controlled the executive office for 29 years, the House for 24 years and the Senate for 22 years. In the last nine years, Democrats have controlled the state government.

We elect the Legislature to take care of the state’s fiscal matters and follow the state’s constitutional requirement to fund K-12 education. Gov. Inslee says he’s now going to focus on providing better education to meet the needs of the 21st Century. He just needs more money by increasing taxes $1.1 billion.

During these 33 years, Democratic controlled legislatures have raised education funding 290 percent, while non-education spending has been raised 563 percent. (KVI conversation with Sen. Andy Hill, June 10.) The McCleary Decision in 2012 says the state “…has failed to adequately fund the ‘education’ required by Article IX…” The court further suggests that some of the education funding over this time has gone to other things.

Gov. Inslee is now leading us down the same tired path but expecting a different result. The Senate coalition is recommending some reforms that would be a good start to fiscal management and making some “tough” decisions on spending restraint.

Mr. Lauren Pananen

Mill Creek