The property tax has a long history (and plays a key role the McCleary case)
In Washington, schools are funded mainly by the property tax (levied at the state and local level). In the McCleary case on school funding, the state Supreme Court said that local levies are not dependable and regular enough to be used for basic education. So I thought the Atlantic's quick post on the history of the […]
August 23 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New in the McCleary case: The AG answers the Supreme Court's questions
The attorney general’s office has responded to the state Supreme Court’s July 14 order in the McCleary case. No big surprises here — the brief argues the contempt order should be dissolved and the sanctions ended. The AG said as much in previous communications with the Court this year. But the AG’s new brief does have […]
August 04 , 2016 - Emily Makings
How to help rural economies
As Opportunity Washington noted yesterday, while the unemployment rate in the Puget Sound region is low, it is higher in other parts of the state. Along those lines, Governing Magazine has an interesting story this month: "Can Counties Fix Rural America's Endless Recession?" Urban America recovers from recessions, but rural America no longer seems able to. […]
July 14 , 2016 - Emily Makings
State Supreme Court will hear arguments in McCleary case on Sept. 7
Today the state Supreme Court ordered the parties in the McCleary school funding case to appear before the Court on Sept. 7. Background: On Jan. 9, 2014, the Court ordered the state to provide a plan for complying with McCleary. On Sept. 11, 2014, the Court found the state in contempt. On August 13, 2015, the Court […]
June 21 , 2016 - Emily Makings
How will the revenue forecast affect the budget?
Kriss wrote a few days ago that the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) increased the state revenue forecast last week. In near general fund–state plus opportunity pathways (NGFS+) terms, 2015–17 revenue is expected to increase by $308.2 million and 2017–19 revenue is expected to increase by $126.4 million. As Opportunity Washington writes, “While the […]
June 20 , 2016 - Emily Makings
The AG on potential additional McCleary sanctions
As required by the state Supreme Court, the Legislature submitted its 2016 report on its McCleary progress to the Court on May 18. The same day, the attorney general asked the Court to lift the contempt order and end sanctions. A few weeks ago, plaintiffs, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, and others filed […]
June 17 , 2016 - Mary Strow
June 15 , 2016 - Emily Makings
New report: McCleary Deadline Approaching, But How Long Will the Solution Last?
In a new report, we write about the McCleary decision, education funding enhancements the state has made in response, and what remains to be done. We also provide background on the state property tax system and school funding. Briefly: State funding for public schools has increased by 40.6 percent since 2009–11. Washington had the third highest funding […]
June 13 , 2016 - Mary Strow
Special-ed advocates chime in on K-12 funding
The Seattle Times reported Friday on a brief filed by special-education advocates in the ongoing McCleary case, which deals with state funding of K-12 public schools. They argue that the state's funding, and funding formula, for Washington's 125,000 special-ed students are inadequate: For 20 years the Legislature has paid for special education as if every […]
May 19 , 2016 - Emily Makings
The AG on the Legislature's McCleary report (plus, the alternative budget outlook has been released)
Yesterday the Legislature filed its report to the state Supreme Court on its progress toward complying with the McCleary decision on education funding. (The report was approved last week.) Also yesterday, the attorney general filed a memo with the Court asking it to lift its contempt order and end sanctions. The AG's memo argues that E2SSB […]