According to the Washington Policy Center (WPC), certain state Supreme Court justices have “received political contributions from a lead party on a key lawsuit” now before the court. The lawsuit will decide the fate of charter schools in Washington State.
The Washington Education Association (WEA) is among the parties attempting to strike down our state’s charter school law, approved by voters in 2012. The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments on League of Women Voters, Washington Education Association, et al vs State of Washington this week and is expected to deliver a decision in November.
The importance of the case—and its timing—might just explain why the WEA gave four justices seeking re-election maximum campaign contributions this election cycle. Here’s the list via Public Disclosure Commission reports:
Justice Mary I. Yu – $1,900 from WEA Political Action Committee.
Justice Mary E. Fairhurst – $1,900 from Washington Education Association.
Justice Charles W. Johnson – $1,900 from WEA Political Action Committee.
Justice Debra L. Stephens – $1,900 from WEA Political Action Committee.
The WPC reports that, in 2012, “three other justices received maximum political contributions from the WEA union for their own election campaigns.”
Justice Susan J. Owens – $1,800 from Washington Education Association.
Justice Stephen C. Gonzalez – $1,800 from WEA Political Action Committee.
Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud – $1,800 from WEA Political Action Committee.
Exactly why an organization supposedly dedicated to the education of our children would seek to destroy a school system proven to help underprivileged children succeed remains unknown. What it known? The WEA will stop at nothing to close down charter schools like First Place Scholars which aims to help “homeless and low-income children gain access to a good public education.”
