Actions 4 Education

Olympia is in budgetary deadlock and yet there is work to be done. WPD is continuing to advocate during special session(s) and ask you to please review and engage in these Actions 4 Education to amplify our collective voice in calling for new and fair revenue to fully fund education:
 
1. UPDATE on the Senate Republicans’ Property Tax Hike
 
Washington’s Paramount Duty does not support the Senate Republicans’ controversial proposal to significantly increase property taxes across the state, especially through a so-called “levy swap” or “levy swipe.” We have heard concerns from parents and teachers in communities across the state that this would not solve the financial woes facing our schools, and could create an unfair burden on poorer residents of our state’s urban communities.
 
The Senate Republican plan does not fulfill the requirements of either the state constitution’s paramount duty clause, or the terms of the McCleary decision. It would not provide sufficient revenues for public schools, nor would it fund schools equitably. Despite what some claim, the Supreme Court did not order any kind of “levy swap” as part of the McCleary decision. They instead concluded that the State must pay for the actual costs to cover the school districts’ delivery of basic education to all students.
 
The Senate Republican plan would lead to a property tax hike in nearly all school districts in the state. This is because their stingy funding proposal does not provide ample funds for districts to meet all their educational needs. Many districts will need to pass a local levy for services not covered in the Senate Republicans’ narrow definition of basic education. When that happens, property taxes will rise — even in districts some Senators claim will see a property tax cut.
 
More importantly, enacting a “levy swap” would force Washington to continue to rely upon the same regressive tax system that has proven unable to provide regular and ample funding for our schools. Washington’s Paramount Duty has consistently urged the Legislature examine and consider closing corporate tax loopholes, and pass a capital gains tax, in order to provide the regular and ample funding our schools are owed.
 
A sizable property tax increase would also accelerate displacement of low-income households and communities of color from cities and neighborhoods in our state. Despite what some Senators claim, the “levy swap” is inequitable. It penalizes low-income households for living in a city with high property values.
 
For all of these reasons, Washington’s Paramount Duty opposes a “levy swap” and plans to increase property taxes. There is plenty of money in closing corporate tax loopholes to fund our public schools.
 
2.  CONTACT these Republican Leaders and Share Your Concerns
 
Senator Joe Fain: Joe.Fain@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7692
Senator Brad Hawkins: Brad.Hawkins@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7622
Senator Mark Miloscia: Mark.Miloscia@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7658
Senator Steve O’Ban: Steve.O’Ban@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7654
Senator Ann Rivers: Ann.Rivers@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7634
Senator Maureen Walsh: Maureen.Walsh@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7630
Senator Hans Zeiger: Hans.Zeiger@leg.wa.gov, (360) 786-7648
 
Here’s a suggested email/call script:
“I do not support a massive property tax to amply fund our schools. This would place an unfair burden on our low-income households. Also, it is not a fair and sustainable revenue solution to fill the gap needed to fully fund our education system, from early learning through higher ed, as well as social services. I ask you to consider more fair and sustainable sources of revenue including a capital gains tax and pulling back less efficient tax breaks on corporations which would help insure that everyone pays their fair share.”
 
3. HOLD WA’s Realtors Association Accountable
 
The WA REALTOR Political Action Committee (R-PAC) is spending a lot of money promoting the Senate Republicans’ budget plan, which would lead to a massive property tax increase while providing less funding for schools in certain districts. They are also running TV ads attacking legislators who share Washington’s Paramount Duty position that we need new and fair revenue to amply fund our schools. 
 
Forty percent of real estate agents are registered with WA REALTORs, but probably don’t realize that their dues are being spent to undermine our schools and even our ability to afford homes. Our homes, our communities, and our schools will be stronger by passing something like the House Democratic plan, which asks the wealthy and big businesses to help fund education. We need to let the people running WA REALTOR know that they’re making the wrong choices — and need to stop undermining our communities and our schools.
 
A: Are you a homeowner? 
Email the below contacts and share your concerns about the
Washington State REALTORS’ lobby and political action committee position.  Tell them to stop lobbying against solving our education funding crisis: