Kudos to Rep. Aaron Reardon for chastising his colleagues who failed to address the issue of the super majority levy law.
Educators keep hearing from their elected officials about the need for educational change, yet they drag their feet and let an archaic law that requires 60 percent yes votes to continue to negatively impact education in Washington. Too many excellent teachers and valuable and innovative programs have been cut due to a failure to achieve the 60 percent approval rating. Districts which have received a 59.8 percent approval rating were either forced to reduce staff and programs (if it was the second defeat) or were forced to run the levy a second time, which is a significant outlay of money.
Where is Gov. Gary Locke when educators need him? The spirits of educators were raised when Gov. Locke was elected with his promise to improve education in the state. For all the things he has done, he has yet to step to the forefront and lobby to change the super majority system. It takes courageous legislators like Aaron Reardon to stand up and challenge his colleagues to walk the talk regarding changing this antiquated law and helping education.
Unfortunately, for whatever reason, he did not have the support from his colleagues. If the legislators were required to have a 40 percent turnout and then have to get 60 percent to assume office, I believe they would be more than willing to change the law, as there would be a lot of empty offices in Olympia, including the governor’s. Kudos, Rep. Reardon. Keep fighting this good fight. Our educators, parents and children need this law changed.
Mukilteo
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