Session promises still to keep

First, do no harm. For legislators, there is no Hippocratic Oath because harm is relative.

The short 2014 legislative session, which ended late Thursday, could be measured in sins of omission — no transportation-funding package, for example, and no Washington Voting Rights Act. But harm is in the eye of the partisan beholder.

Good things flow from the supplemental operating budget that passed, including $58 million in supplies and operating costs to benefit elementary and secondary school students. Community mental health centers get a needed $20.3 million boost, and $5.2 million is directed to foster children scrambling to find permanent homes.

But divided government yields divided results. A handful of tax breaks should have been closed (a de facto, tax increase for a few industries, yes) to underwrite McCleary-mandated K-12 funding.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Legislators “needed to add $400 million to basic education,” state Superintendent for Public Instruction Randy Dorn said. “They needed to come up with a plan to meet McCleary by 2018, as the Supreme Court directed in a Jan. 9 order. And they needed to pass a bill to secure our state’s No Child Left Behind waiver. They did none of those things.”

Punting means the next biennium will be all McCleary, and it foreshadows a scolding, sanctions or both by the state Supreme Court this spring.

The horse trade that never rode in was resolution of the No Child waiver, ideally in exchange for a long-delayed cost of living adjustment for teachers. Teachers first became a proxy for bare-knuckle politics in the mid-1970s, before many current educators were even born. They deserve better.

Gov. Jay Inslee blamed the Senate Majority Coalition for the failure of a transportation package. Transportation co-chair Curtis King responded late Friday by releasing negotiating documents, accusing Inslee of “blatant and false accusations.”

Inslee, in perpetual campaign mode, could dial back the invective and leave the finger pointing to sanctimonious editorial boards. Senate Republicans could acknowledge that they never had the caucus votes to begin with.

Not making a decision is itself a decision. Not reconciling the medical marijuana industry and Washington’s soon-to-launch recreational marijuana operation is a train wreck that may provoke federal meddling.

One harm that can be undone is the premature demise of the Life Sciences Discovery Fund, which demonstrates a seven-fold return on investment. Inslee needs to veto the $20 million transfer from the LSDF and keep funds flowing for the rest of the biennium. An easy call that makes good economic and public-interest sense.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, June 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A rendering of possible configuration for a new multi-purpose stadium in downtown Everett. (DLR Group)
Editorial: Latest ballpark figures drive hope for new stadium

A lower estimate for the project should help persuade city officials to move ahead with plans.

The Buzz: As long as we’re all going to die, might as well laugh

Split you sides as Elon and Trump split the sheets. And Sen. Debbie Downer lightens the mood at a town hall.

Schwab: Reveling in the dis-Enlightenment of America

Fearing an educated and informed electorate, Trump and MAGA target knowledge, science and reason.

Is church engaged in ‘worship warfare’?

Imagine; Snohomish’s very own Russell Johnson, pastor of the Pursuit Church, quoted… Continue reading

Christians’ civic engagement is a right and duty

Recent calls for Christians to avoid political involvement in the name of… Continue reading

Ensure due process to all threatened with deportation

I am writing to express my concerns regarding immigrants, migrants and students… Continue reading

A rendering of the new vessels to be built for Washington State Ferries. (Washington State Ferries)
Editorial: Local shipyard should get shot to build state ferries

If allowed to build at least two ferries, Nichols Brothers can show the value building here offers.

Solar panels are visible along the rooftop of the Crisp family home on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Editorial: ‘Big, beautiful bill’ would take from our climate, too

Along with cuts to the social safety net, the bill robs investments in the clean energy economy.

A Lakewood Middle School eighth-grader (right) consults with Herald Opinion Editor Jon Bauer about the opinion essay he was writing for a class assignment. (Kristina Courtnage Bowman / Lakewood School District)
Youth Forum: Just what are those kids thinking?

A sample of opinion essays written by Lakewood Middle School eighth-graders as a class assignment.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Thursday, June 5

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Goldberg: Musk’s leaves legacy of disease, starvation and death

DOGE may only break even, and at the cost of some 300,000 deaths from the end of USAID.

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.