State funding for education continues to be a hot button issue for legislators due to the state Supreme Court’s questionable McCleary-driven $100,000 per day fine on taxpayers. To address the issue, a bi-partisan group of Washington State Senators is asking for citizen input on education funding via public meetings scheduled via various locations across the state.
The education funding tour is already highlighting the differences between Republicans and Democrats’ approach to solving problems. The Seattle Times
“But [Republican] Dammeier, the vice chairman of both the Senate Education and Ways and Means committees, says the money is a political issue that will be resolved during the legislative session.
“‘There’s a number of ways to get there. Levy fairness is a big step,’ Dammeier said…
“Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, expects the feedback from the tour will be that senators need to face the real problem: inadequate state funding for education.”
In other words, Republicans are in favor of reasonable, creative solutions that do not further burden Washington’s working families with higher taxes. On the other hand, Democrats continue to insist on their go-to solution for every problem: higher taxes.
Both parties claim that their approach puts children first. But, who is right? Looking at the fact, rational people everywhere would judge Republicans’ claim as true for one rather obvious reason.
If a lawmaker truly prioritizes funding education first, it would be funded. It’s really that simple.
Demanding a tax increase to pay for education means Democrats are not funding education first. Calling for tax increases to fund education—by the very action—means Democrats are unwilling to prioritize education spending. Rather, the demand means Democrats are unwilling to give up their various special interest agenda items in favor of education.
Democrats must justify their tax hike demands by claiming the increase in revenue is needed to fund education because they know that voters’ answer would be an immediate “no” for any other reason.
The truth is Democrats don’t want to fund education first. Democrats want to fund education last. Their call for new taxes proves it.
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