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Increasing opportunity: better politics and better policy than attacking inequality

In the days leading up to the State of the Union, the White House signaled a rhetorical shift. Less talk of inequality, more emphasis on opportunity.  As ABC News reported, The adjustment reflects an awareness that Obama’s earlier language put him at risk of being perceived as divisive and exposed him to criticism that his […]

Governor's tax proposals face skeptical Legislature

Gov. Inslee’s proposed tax increases to boost school spending look like they’ll go where they’ve gone before — nowhere. AWB president Kris Johnson had this statement. Unfortunately, the governor’s plan to eliminate a handful of tax incentives does not address the long-term funding challenge we face, and would have serious negative impacts on the employers […]

Inslee promotes boost in school funding

In his state of the state message, Gov. Inslee proposed $200 million in new revenue for education. Today, the governor released his plan. The presentation materials detail the new taxes. » Repeal sales tax exemption for trade-ins valued over $10,000 » Repeal public utility tax deduction for in-state portion of interstate transportation » Repeal use […]

Inequality and the minimum wage – two different issues – and one just became more complicated

For reasons not entirely clear, discussion of increasing the minimum wage have been closely linked with expressions of concern over income inequality. In Seattle, for example, Mayor Ed Murray’s task force looking into the $15 minimum wage is called the Income Inequality Advisory Committee. Rep. Farrell’s statement in support of a $12 minimum wage included the […]

Who is working for the minimum wage?

Who are the minimum wage workers? In today’s press conference, proponents concentrated on the number of adults working for the minimum wage, carefully distinguishing them from teenagers.Adults were considered to be people age 20 and older. Where you draw that line is important. For health care reform, of course, you can stay on your parents’ […]

Justice Johnson files dissent in Supremes' education funding order – Court's impact on short session unclear

Last week I posted on the state Supreme Court majority opinion finding lawmakers failed to make adequate progress toward full funding of basic education as specified in the Court’s McCleary decision. I concluded: Substantial new funding in the short session is unlikely. Key legislators already question the need for any supplemental budget. After last year’s lengthy […]

School finance is not an issue only in Washington

An article from Kansas in today’s Stateline has a familiar ring to it: With no decision yet from the Kansas Supreme Court on a mammoth school-finance lawsuit, state legislators will begin their annual session amid deep uncertainty over the dominant issue of the year. Depending on what the court decides, the outcome could be anything […]

State Supreme Court says that, despite progress, Legislature still not meeting education funding targets

The state Supreme Court, in an order released today, faulted lawmakers for failing to make adequate progress on meeting the Court’s school funding mandate. (Justice Johnson is filing a dissent from the majority opinion.) The accompanying press release acknowledge legislative progress. The majority Order, signed by eight of the nine justices, acknowledges that “meaningful steps were […]

Governor's supplemental budget looks like a yawner … that's a good thing

Gov. Jay Inslee released his supplemental budget proposal yesterday. The details are available here. Inslee calls it “a hold-steady budget in a get-ready year.” That’s a pretty good description. The budget proposes a few modest new program increases and provides funding for increases in caseloads and school enrollment. That’s holding steady. He also warns of […]

Charter schools will move forward, but what about levy money?

Education funding is in the news yet again: Yesterday, a Superior Court judge ruled in the case a number of groups had brought against charter schools. Approved by voters in 2012, Initiative 1240 allowed a limited number of public charter schools to be opened in Washington. (None have opened yet.) It defined them as common […]