Washington State celebrates 125 years of statehood today. In 1889, the Washington Territory had grown from a population of 1,200 to 350,000 in the course of 39 years. That large population growth … [Read more...]
Inslee’s big leadership fail
Last week, SHIFT reported on Jay Inslee’s latest example of “leadership” — which means leading from behind and not opposing special interests that give him big chunks of campaign money. Inslee showed … [Read more...]
Inslee defines his leadership – don’t oppose union publically
In an act of unprecedented political bravery, Jay Inslee decided that election night was the appropriate time to inform Washingtonians that he voted no on the Washington Education Association’s (WEA) … [Read more...]
GOP holds firewall against Inslee’s $1+ gas tax
It was a good night for Republicans, on both the national and state scale. Across the country, the GOP flipped the U.S. Senate, won the largest House majority since the 1920’s and surprised political … [Read more...]
Inslee buckles before donors, won’t take a position on budget busting initiative
Jay Inslee showed yet another profile in courage on KUOW radio today, refusing to answer how he will vote on the controversial (and expensive) Initiative 1351, sponsored by the Washington Education … [Read more...]
More charter schools coming to WA
After Washington State voters passed Initiatives 1240, the state Charter School Commission began the process of establishing charter schools. This September, the first charter school—First Place … [Read more...]
WA schools feel impact of lost federal waiver
According to the New York Times, “nearly nine in 10 Washington State public schools, including some high-achieving campuses in the state’s most moneyed communities, have been relegated to a federal … [Read more...]
National teachers’ union says ‘show me the money’
The latest national player to jump into Washington State’s elections – following Tom Steyer [link to story on him] and the League of Conservation Voters is the National Education Association (NEA). … [Read more...]
New options for school classroom spaces: library, gym or portable
Reducing class sizes – at least in the first few years of school - benefits the learning environment, allowing teachers to devote more time and energy to the intellectual growth of children under … [Read more...]
For $1 million, evidently you can buy Inslee’s support
The results of Jay Inslee’s secret contract negotiations with the state employee unions were concluded this week. Predictably, the unions — who “invested” over $1 million in Jay Inslee’s 2012 … [Read more...]
Teachers union put adults ahead of kids, again
Once again the state teachers union has developed a nice-sounding statewide initiative aimed at putting more money into the pockets of…the teachers union. And once again, the nice-sounding … [Read more...]