Education will be one of the key issues this legislative session in Olympia. But it’s being treated as a political ploy by seven Republican legislators who have introduced HB 1001.
The bill, being called “Fund Education First,” would create a separate budget for education and require that it be funded from no new tax sources and approved before the rest of the state’s budgets. Fortunately, Eastside representatives had the good sense to stay away from this proposal.
Education already comes first in our state; our constitution says it is the “paramount” duty of the state. OK, we know the Legislature hasn’t been good about doing this recently, but the state Supreme Court has found it in contempt, and lawmakers are under pressure to fix that.
There’s another problem with HB 1001 — that education be funded from existing tax sources. Given the high price tag to fully fund education, it will be a struggle — maybe an impossible one — to find enough money to pay for other needed state programs without new taxes. Voters might OK more taxes for kids in schools, but not for state workers sitting in offices.
The bottom line? Many state problems likely would be gutted to balance the budget, thus reducing the cost of state government.
That may be a goal of some Republicans, but not all government programs are bad. And schools aren’t the only institution that provide needed services to state residents.
That said, this isn’t a pitch for the Legislature to approve any tax for any program. In fact, responsible legislative leaders — in both parties — have more sense than to do this.
Instead, we think what most voters want is for legislators to look at the needs of the public and determine what ones the state can meet in a fiscally prudent budget.
Will this take some hand-wringing and making tough choices? Of course. And this year will be tougher — because of the need to really deal with education.
But, with the public’s attention and help, we expect legislators to do their job responsibly.
– Craig Groshart, Issaquah & Sammamish Reporter
