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 […]
January 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
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 […]
January 23 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
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’ […]
January 13 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
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 […]
January 13 , 2014 - Emily Makings
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 […]
January 09 , 2014 - Richard S. Davis
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 […]
December 18 , 2013 - Richard S. Davis
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 […]
December 13 , 2013 - Emily Makings
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 […]
November 07 , 2013 - Richard S. Davis
Special legislative session signals good news for machinists, for Boeing and for the state economy
Gov. Jay Inslee called lawmakers back to Olympia for a special session today designed to secure the Boeing 777X and its carbon fiber wing for Washington state. The proposed legislation complements the agreement reached by Boeing and the Machinists union for an eight-year contract extension assuring continued labor peace and changes benefiting the company and […]
November 01 , 2013 - Richard S. Davis
More on state Supreme Court pension case and its budget implications
In my column Wednesday, I take a deeper look at the pension lawsuit before the state Supreme Court. Emily wrote about the hearings, which involve union challenges to the Legislature’s repeal of gain-sharing and the Uniform Cost of Living Adjustment. The implications are serious. If the court rules for the public employee groups contesting the legislation, the increased burden to taxpayers […]