Voters should approve Initiative 884 to provide education with badly needed funding by creating a 1-percent state sales tax increase. The increase would create $1 billion that would be dispersed between preschools, K-12 schools, community colleges and four-year universities.
In recent years, voters approved Initiative 728, to decrease class sizes, and Initiative 732, to support competitive compensation for Washington’s teachers. These initiatives are struggling to find financial support, which could be provided by I-884.
Although the sales tax is regressive and not an ideal source of funding, the need for more money funneled into schools is apparent.
As for Referendum 55, it should be rejected. The charter schools that would be created have previously been voted down twice by Washington voters.
Although supporters say the charters would be held accountable, the funding from taxpayers would not be overseen by elected officials, which causes concern. The Legislature should first confirm support for all current public institutions before risking taxpayers’ money.
We need to focus on public education and secure those means for all students before taking a risk on charter schools.
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