Teachers in Olympia Today
This in from the Stranger Slog:
Jesse Hagopian, a leader of Social Equality Educators, notes the 2010 ruling in King County Superior Court, that found Washington State is failing to meet its constitutional obligation to fund basic education.
Just as the gavel struck and the Washington State House of Representatives concluded its opening day of session before the budget committee convenes, nearly three-dozen teachers stood up to protest what they fear will be yet another year of cuts to basic education and state colleges.
"Mic check!" yelled Jesse Hagopian, wearing a suit. "Mic check," yelled back the teachers in red vests, who unfurled a banner that said: "Citizens aren't the lawbreakers. Lawmakers who cut funding from schools are the lawbreakers." And they chanted:
Jesse Hagopian, a leader of Social Equality Educators, notes the 2010 ruling in King County Superior Court, that found Washington State is failing to meet its constitutional obligation to fund basic education.
Just as the gavel struck and the Washington State House of Representatives concluded its opening day of session before the budget committee convenes, nearly three-dozen teachers stood up to protest what they fear will be yet another year of cuts to basic education and state colleges.
"Mic check!" yelled Jesse Hagopian, wearing a suit. "Mic check," yelled back the teachers in red vests, who unfurled a banner that said: "Citizens aren't the lawbreakers. Lawmakers who cut funding from schools are the lawbreakers." And they chanted:
It is immoralBravo!
It is illegal
These cuts will hurt families
These cuts will hurt kids
These cuts will hurt educators
King county Superior Court judge
Ruled that these cuts are constitutionally illegal
The Constitution of Washington state reads it is the paramount duty to fully
Fund education
We therefore issue a citizens arrest of this Washington State Legislature
We call for taxing the rich
We call to fund the schools
Comments
http://today.seattletimes.com/2011/11/new-poll-finds-support-for-state-sales-tax-increase/
Gov.'s proposal of temporary (3 year) half cent sales tax increase. It could add $500 million to state's annual revenue. The poll breaks down which programs pollers want to support vs. cut.
Seattle mom
WV: grasi "you're welcome"
I'm feeling like I'm living in a Democracy instead of a Drool-0-cracy!
Maybe the worthless mouth breathers taking up leader paychecks can letting the thieves take LESS - the thieves who wrecked everything by taking too much!
(Pst! stop calling it a 'tax' hike - it costs money to NOT live in a Somalia - it is about time the Balmers PAID for their community.)
NotDrooling
What do you propose if not a half-penny tax? We are not an income tax state. I think you need to be more detailed.
I watched twice Gregoire's pitch on TVW last week and she is doing her best to make something happen. I can pay a temporary half-penny to stop the social bleeding. I can do that. These are not ordinary times. I'm right up front in demanding Clinton-era taxes on the rich but I can't stand by and watch us shred the safety net for a principle.
Watch Gregoire. She is honestly doing the best she can. Governor Gregoire Budget Unveiling"
I'm afraid that after all is said and done, it won't be enough and people will call it a waste. I hope not. Every little bit that it accomplishes will be more than we would have had without it.
northender
WA needs an income tax on high earners (individuals making over $250/yr). Sales tax is one of the most regressive forms of tax going. Another 1/2 percent—temporary—right, I've heard that one before. When I moved to Seattle in 1993, the combined (state/city/county) sales tax was about 8%, now it's almost 10% in some parts of the city. That is an even-steven tax on everyone—fair by some people's standards, but not mine. People not making much money don't need to have another 1/2 % lost on purchases (besides food—but necessities like toilet paper, etc. ARE taxed).
It's the same argument that CT makes. Why should someone making very little, or paying very little for a vehicle pay the same as someone who has a ton of excess cash left over?
You're right, we are not an income tax state, but we should be—at least for high income earners. I don't have the exact figures, but low-income WA residents pay a much higher percentage of their earnings in tax because of our regressive system. It's got to change, but until we stop allowing the system to keep raising "fair" taxes like sales tax to make up budget deficits it never will.
northender
As hard as it is to see things go unfunded (including my own job possibly), I don't feel that I can support a sales tax increase when I know it will disproportionately hurt the poor, the working class and the middle class and once again let off the privileged few. Enough is enough.
It's time for the rich to pay. That should be the proposal. (and yes, I know it basically failed in this state -1098-. Time to educate the public and then tax the rich.)
HTML
HTML
http://crosscut.com/2011/11/22/politics-government/21562/Instead-of-cutting-the-cities--revenue-share%2C-should-we-trim-some-special-districts-/
http://www.mrsc.org/subjects/governance/spd/spdmain.aspx
Seattle mom
I will never let money come before people truly in need. That kind of thinking is anathema to me.
Give her the half-penny and then do what Eyman does, get out there a make a fuss.
northender
northender
The reason the state is in trouble is because people aren't spending as much, and housing values (and in turn property values) are dropping—hence less revenue for the state.
Adding to our sales tax is only going to have a negative impact on our state's economy. I believe the climate is starting to lean and least slightly toward the progressive side and would hope we could find other ways to increase revenue besides sales tax. Cutting tax breaks for special interests, loopholes could be a good start.
I have a friend - Lt. Col. in the army of a similar age as me - and he gets pay that is commensurate with the cost-of-living in his area. Teachers' pay is not prorated to compensate for expenses. In red Washington, teachers pay goes a lot farther than in blue WA.
I don't know much about all this but the ideas in the Crosscut column are certainly intriguing. And the issue of pay from region to region may or may not make a difference.
That was interesting. Thank you.
northender
I have to pay the same parking costs, too, even though I can park my scooter in the space between parked cars.
Thanks for a good discussion.
northender
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/the-solution-close-tax-loopholes/Content?oid=7336303
no longer in seattle
Why did the teachers do what they did?
"I can't subscribe motives to other people," Hall told Smith. "I can only think that either they were not secure in their ability to do the job, or they didn't believe the children -- even if they did their job -- could learn. Or a combination of the two. I can't explain it any other way."
How about they don't want to lose their job? Or they needed a raise to pay their mortgage!? What an asinine douchebag! And, oops, sorry, off topic.
Beverly Hall denies responsibility for cheating
There is NOTHING stopping them from enacting an income tax except "it can't be done." Yes, it can and it's called voting.
If enough people would rise up, they would do it. That many of them are in areas where their constituents say "no, no, no", then maybe we need to let everyone hit bottom and see what it feels like.
I do not say that lightly or coldly but something has to give. We can't keep waiting for the next initiative or legislative session.
Sure, enact another tax. It will not solve the problem.
Frankie
Beverly Hall is to Culture of Cheating
as
Murdoch Corporation is to Culture of Phone Hacking
Denial at the top to take responsibility for the entire house of cards culture set up by person(s) at the top.
-Skeptical-
Weird. That sounds like a former SPS Superintendent...
Oompah
WV says blame it on the "mings" (must be minions and underlings all in a box)
This undemocratic restriction is being challenged in court, however.
Rock bottom? What does that mean? And for whom?
northender