The Legislature has much to do in the coming year, most importantly finding at least $2 billion in additional funding for K-12 education, while at the same time funding and reforming the state’s transportation system.
Rob Toyer, a Marysville City Council member and owner of an insurance and wealth management business, suggests that Rep. Hans Dunshee’s 20 years in the House are long enough, and that Toyer, a Republican, can offer a fresh set of eyes for the 44th District.
But considering the daunting agenda, experience trumps freshness. Dunshee, a Democrat, has The Herald Editorial Board’s endorsement.
In finding $2 billion to satisfy the state Supreme Court’s McCleary mandate, Toyer says he’s “not a fan of raising taxes,” preferring to look for more cuts to the budget. But most of the “whacks” have been made, Dunshee says, and even closing tax loopholes will only cover about $300 million to $500 million of the goal. Of the $1 billion that the Legislature found for education in the last session, Dunshee notes, $750 million of that came from cuts to the capital budget.
Taxes will have to be increased, Dunshee says. He’s reluctant to share specifics because of ongoing negotiations, though he doesn’t see as likely an increase in sales tax or creation of an income tax.
Considering Initiative 1351, which would decrease student-to-teacher ratios but require an additional funding investment, Dunshee supports the measure even though it identifies no funding source. It’s not without problems, Dunshee said, but better to pass it and reform it to phase in its mandates. Toyer opposes the initiative, unconvinced smaller classroom sizes guarantee a better education.
Dunshee betrays some cynicism when asked about how to break the Legislature’s deadlocks over transportation and funding of K-12 education, suggesting that it may take voters electing a “unified government,” — read “Democratic” or “Republican” — to move forward. “At least we’ll have an answer, one way or the other,” he said.
It’s an understandable attitude but one maybe better suited for an editorial writer than a legislator. And, despite the sour reflection, Dunshee, as chairman of the House’s Capital Budget committee, has demonstrated the ability to work with Republicans, having negotiated a capital budget in the House, only to have it fail in the Senate. Dunshee also points to potential areas of bipartisan agreement in transportation reforms.
Dunshee, in part because of his 20 years in the House, has the knowledge, connections and experience the Legislature needs.
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