Candidates for fully funding education (general election version)

Representative Derek Stanford, 1st LD, Pos 1 

“The Supreme Court has made it clear: We need to make education a higher priority in our state budget. I’ve worked to keep our commitment to our public schools by supporting early learning, supporting local control of our schools, simplifying testing, while recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. I am excited to stay on the front lines supporting excellent public schools.”

http://derekstanford.com/?page_id=138

Shelly Kloba, candidate for the House in the 1st LD, Pos 2

“People want great schools because they know education is the key to our prosperity. We have defined basic education and we know what it costs. Now we have to make the investments that pay off in the bright futures of our children.”

http://www.heraldnet.com/news/education-economy-top-issues-for-1st-district-candidates/

Senator Marilyn Rasmusen, 2nd LD

“Education is the utmost priority and fully funding is a moral and legal responsibility. I’m a strong supporter of vocational education and skill centers. I will be that tough voice for our families and schools that we need and deserve for all our children.”

http://www.marilyn4senate.com

Amy Pivetta-Hoffman, candidate for the House in the 2nd LD, Pos 1

“We need to fully-fund basic K-12 education as required by the Washington State Constitution. We also need a real plan to fix our overcrowded schools and classrooms in Graham, Eatonville, Yelm, and beyond.”

http://electamy.org/faq/priorities/

Senator Andy Billig, 3rd LD

“To improve educational success for all students, we must increase investments throughout the educational system including early learning, K-12, and higher education. As we make these investments, improved student success should be our overriding aim and closing the opportunity gap is the biggest challenge we face as we work toward that goal.”

“As we work to invest more in education and to meet our constitutional duty to fully fund basic education, we must ensure that those investments do not come at the expense of cuts to vital social service programs. If we cut housing, food or health care assistance for children to pay for education, we will actually be undermining educational success. Instead, we must focus on the whole child by employing strategies that will be successful in the classroom and ensure that every child arrives at school ready to learn.”

http://www.andybillig.com/issues.html

Representative Marcus Riccelli, 3rd LD, Pos 1

“Education should be the great equalizer for ALL Washington’s children, and Marcus is working hard to ensure each one of our kids has access to outstanding K-12 education no matter where they live or go to school. As the father of two young children, he also knows that kindergarten is too long to wait for a strong start. That is why, in addition to promoting small class sizes and exceptional K-12 outcomes across the state, Marcus is fighting for high-quality early-learning programs and wrap-around services to help close the opportunity gap and ensure every child in Spokane and Washington has an opportunity to succeed.”

http://www.marcusriccelli.com/issues

Representative Tim Ormsby, 3rd LD, Pos 2

“We’ve got to get our budget priorities straightened out because we’ve got a lot of pressures on the budget related to our obligations to meet our constitutional responsibilities for funding education as our paramount duty.”

“Our paramount duty is ensuring all students have an equal opportunity to learn.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/values/

Senator Mark Mullet, 5th LD

“The Supreme Court has called for the Legislature to drastically reform the way our schools are funded, especially in regard to reliance on local levies. I firmly believe that local levies are a crucial and important part of how we fund our schools. If a local community wants to put more money into its schools, it should have the right to do so and the state shouldn’t stand in its way.  Voters in the 5th District have consistently approved local school levies. As a result, we have some of the best teachers in the state, outstanding graduation rates and state-of-the-art facilities. Let’s get creative and find a way to make local levies a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.”

http://sdc.wastateleg.org/mullet/2016/02/03/e-news-make-local-levies-a-part-of-the-solution/

Jason Ritchie, candidate for the House in the 5th LD, Pos 1

“My wife and I have two school-aged children. Investing into education, supporting teachers, raising standards and demanding accountability is very personal to me. We have a constitutional responsibility to fully fund education that we must fulfill. We also have a responsibility to closely examine what processes work in our educational system, and to ensure that every Washington student has access to a fair and equal education.”

http://jasonritchie.nationbuilder.com/issues

Darcy Burner, candidate for the House in the 5th LD, Pos 2

“I support expanding access to high quality early childhood education, smaller class sizes, better pay for teachers, and more support for college or vocational training. We need to fully fund education in Washington. The fact that the state legislature is now in contempt for its failure to do so is shameful. Let’s put children first and fully fund our schools.”

http://www.darcyburner.com/issues

Lynette Vehrs, candidate for the House in the 6th LD, Pos 1

“K-12 education needs to be fully funded. No more dragging our feet and kicking the can down the street. Public Higher education must be more accessible. We need to be flexible with schedules, locations, and affordability. By utilizing the community colleges and enhancing the ability to transition into a four year college with be tremendous help for completing peoples’ degree. Education is vital to move folks into good paying jobs and out of poverty.”

http://www.lynnettevehrs.com/issues-1.html

Shar Lichty, candidate for the House in the 6th LD, Pos 2

“Fully funding K-12 education while preserving our social safety net because our kids can’t learn without proper nutrition, healthcare, and housing.”

http://www.votesharlichty.com/about.html

Jennifer Goulet, candidate for the House in the 9th LD, Pos 1

“We have an education funding crisis. Money that should be going towards educating our children, which is mandated by our State Constitution, is instead being diverted in the form of corporate tax breaks and subsidies to the tune of $13 billion dollars per year. The only way to stop this shortchanging of our children’s education is to reform our state’s flawed and deeply regressive tax structure. The Legislature must scrutinize tax exemptions given primarily to large multinational corporations to determine which ones should be renewed, which should be renegotiated, and which should be allowed to expire based on what is best for the People and smaller businesses in Washington State. Ensuring that businesses are paying their fair share of taxes will go a long way toward fulfilling the Legislature’s duty to fund our public schools.”

http://www.jenn4wa.com

Angela Homola, candidate for the Senate in the 10th LD

“I will commit to supporting legislation that moves our state toward a robust, fair and affective educational system; legislation that secures funding by closing tax loopholes. We must stop kicking the can down the road. “

http://www.angieforpeople.com/angie-homola-campaign-news

Representative Norma Smith, 10th LD, Pos 1

“Every student deserves the opportunity to have a quality education and to be prepared for success. The Washington state constitution is clear; providing for the basic education of all children within our borders is the paramount duty of the legislature in the budgeting process. For far too long, budget leaders in Olympia put education on the chopping block first, when it is clear that adequately funding education should be priority number one.”

http://votenormasmith.com/issues/education/

Doris Brevoort, candidate for the House in the 10th LD, Pos 2

“Create an equitable funding stream to educate our children and support social services. I will work with both sides of the aisle to craft a funding stream for the State of Washington.”

http://dorisbrevoort.com/vision-statement/

Senator Bob Hasagawa, 11th LD

“Among other things, Superintendent Dorn points out that the budget’s $955 million increase in education funds is only about two-thirds of the $1.4 billion that is actually needed to fully fund education for the biennium. What’s more, the budget once again punted on funding voter-approved initiatives to lower class sizes and increase teacher pay; if Republicans had honored the will of the people and covered those expenses, that cost would have reduced the overall increase in funds available to satisfy the McCleary requirements to just $500 million. In other words, the teachers themselves are self-funding a large portion of the additional money we’re putting into basic education.”

http://bobhasegawa.com/funding-education/

A.J. Cooper, candidate for the House in the 15th LD, Pos 2

“Education is not only important to parents, but important to society as whole.  Populations with higher levels of education enjoy better health, are more inclusive, and higher per capita income. I will ensure teachers have the resources to provide an equitable and inclusive quality education.”

http://www.voteajcooper.com/home.html

Rebecca Francik, candidate for the House in the 16th LD, Pos 1

“Francik’s primary goals for Washington include fully funding Washington Education, maintaining and improving our primary infrastructure, including mental health services.”

http://www.votefrancik.com/meet-rebecca/

Tim Probst, candidate for the Senate in the 17th LD

“It is our paramount duty to fully fund education!”

“Invest in education”

https://www.facebook.com/ElectTimProbst/?fref=ts 

Sam Kim, candidate for the House in the 17th LD, Pos 1

“The paramount duty of our legislature this session will be to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”

http://www.votesamkim.com/issues.html

Representative Ann Rivers, 18th LD, Pos 1

“Education is the paramount duty of state government. Every problem we face from crime, the economy, jobs, healthcare, even the environment, can be improved by a properly funded and professional public education system.”

And…

“Some in Olympia would like to leverage funding for schools with new taxes. But holding back on funding education unless there are massive tax increases is not only bad for education, it’s unconstitutional. Kids deserve our first dollar, not budgetary leftovers.”

http://annrivers.com/issues/

Kathy Golespie, candidate for the House in the 18th LD, Pos 2

“Fully fund basic education and end use of local school taxes to pay Olympia’s bills.”

http://www.electkathygillespie.com

Teresa Purcell, candidate for the House in the 19th LD, POs 1

“Access to excellent public education has been a great equalizer for people from all walks of life. If an individual works hard, for decades they have been able to create and access opportunity for a brighter future. We are at a moment in time where that promise is not being kept for students throughout our state, and especially in our small towns and rural communities. We must restore that promise. I am a proud graduate of Longview Public Schools, along with my 8 brothers and sisters. When I was in school here, Washington’s school system used to be the envy of the nation, but decades of inaction have left us with a situation where the Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that the State Legislature is not meeting its “paramount duty” of properly funding education, holding the Legislature in Contempt of Court, and fining taxpayers over $29 million in the past year due to the Legislature’s inaction and failures.”

http://peopleforpurcell.com/issues/

Senator John Braun, 20th LD

“Looking ahead at the upcoming legislative session, we have more work to do to make the right investments for our students and provide a more equitable solution for school funding by the 2018 deadline. As we continue to prioritize schools in our state there will be many issues to address, but funding is a major piece of the puzzle.”

http://johnbraun.src.wastateleg.org/sen-brauns-e-newsletter-october-6-2015/

Representative Strom Peterson, 21st LD, Pos 1

“The Supreme Court has made it clear: we are not meeting our constitutional obligation to our schools.  On top of that voters have made it clear that they want the Legislature to fulfill its duty through the voter-approved initiatives to reduce class size and provide more competitive teacher pay.  I will make school funding a priority in the legislature without sacrificing important programs that families depend on.  Hungry or homeless children aren’t arriving to the classroom ready to learn.  We need to take a tough look at outdated tax loopholes for special interests and continue to find ways to make government more efficient and accountable to the people.  We have a big job to do but you can be sure that I will always put our kids first and make sure that we step up to our obligations.”

http://votestrom.com/on-the-issues/

Representative Lillian Oritz-Self, 21st LD, Pos 2

“As the Vice-Chair of the House Education Committee, I made prioritizing funding for education and reducing class sizes a number one priority. Although, we have yet to meet our Constitutional obligation to fully fund basic education. This means we must continue finding new means of funding for our schools through taking a tough look at corporate tax loopholes that cost the state millions a year.”

http://electlillian.com/issues-2/

Representative Sam Hunt, candidate for Senate in the 22nd LD

“The Washington State Constitution says, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.””

“The State Supreme Court has reaffirmed this provision in its McCleary decision that states the Legislature is not meeting its constitutional duty.  The Legislature has until 2018 to fulfill this mandate.  As a Senator, I will advocate for legislative actions to adequately address this funding crisis.  That includes being willing to vote for additional taxes.”

“Addressing the funding issue creates a steep hill to climb.  It will take at least $3 billion new dollars.  I am not willing to see the rest of state government suffer huge cuts in order to meet our commitment to K-12 education.”

http://www.samhunt.net/issues

Laurie Dolan, Candidate for the House in the 22nd LD, Pos 1

“K-12 education is the paramount duty of Washington State, yet under the current regressive tax system, adequate funding is impossible.  If a state income tax is not politically feasible, we should focus on a capital gains tax which would impact only the most wealthy.  Although the Democrats in the Washington Legislature have written these proposals, they have never been passed.  We must fund education, but not on the backs of teachers, state workers, seniors, and vulnerable citizens. A statewide systemic effort to educate voters on the necessity for a new funding stream for education is urgently needed.”

http://friendsoflauriedolan.com

Beth Doglio, Candidate for the House in the 22nd LD, Pos 2

“Funding education and paying teachers good wages is a necessary investment in our future. As an active volunteer and past PTA president at my children’s elementary school, I have been witness to the dedication, long hours and deep commitment that teachers bring to our schools. They should be well-compensated for their hard work, but teacher salaries also need to increase to ensure we attract the best and brightest to the profession. Teachers inspire our children to be life-long learners and are responsible for educating the next generation to successfully manage our future. We need to substantially increase funding for education.  The state Supreme Court has already ordered such an increase.”

“We should substantially increase funding for K-12 as well as for higher education.”

http://bethdoglio.nationbuilder.com/issues

Representative Sherry Appleton, 23rd LD, Pos 1

“While continuing to fight for full education funding, I was able to get quite a bit accomplished this last legislative session.”

“In the past legislative session, Sherry helped strike a compromise that will provide more funding for mental health programs and funding to retain K-12 staff and support for beginning educators.”

http://sherryappleton.com

Representative Kevin Van de Wege, candidate for Senate in the 24th LD

“We must meet our constitutional duty to fully fund public education. For too long, the legislature has debated how to solve this problem and Senate Republicans have dragged out that debate. My wife is a high school teacher here in Sequim and as the father of two children in our public schools, I know first-hand the time to act is now. We need to work together to solve our funding crisis and put an end to partisan games. I will work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find common ground and move the Senate toward a solution that works for our kids.”

http://kevinvandewege.nationbuilder.com/issues

Mike Chapman, candidate for the House in the 24th LD, Pos 1

“As a father I believe it is past time to fully fund education and make sure that schools, teachers, students and parents will have the resources they need so that every child can achieve their full potential in school. From early learning programs to college, education is paramount to building an economy where everyone can achieve their full potential and find or create living wage jobs on the Olympic Peninsula.”

http://www.votemikechapman.com

Karl Mecklenburg, candidate for the Senate in the 25th LD

“Here in Pierce County, we have some of the most under-funded schools in the state. We are all frustrated at our legislature’s inaction on fully funding education, and we need new voices in office who can make progress on making sure that our kids can compete for the jobs of tomorrow.”

http://electmeck.com/ontheissues/

Jamie Smith, candidate for the House in the 25th LD, Pos 1

“Our state faces tough choices in the near future. Our public schools desperately need support to provide the best education to our children.”

https://www.votejamiesmith.com

Michelle Chatterton, candidate for the House in the 25th LD, Pos 2

“We need legislators willing to break from the mistakes of the past and make the tough choices on K-12 education funding. I’m not willing to let inaction in Olympia put another generation of students at risk of missing out on a quality education. I’ll demand the State Legislature find a solution to the school funding crisis; otherwise, the politicians in Olympia shouldn’t get paid.

The requirements of the Washington Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary decision cannot be met without reforming Washington’s outdated tax code, which unfairly burdens small businesses and working families. This includes bipartisan changes to the state and local school levy systems which have been under discussion for several legislative sessions. It’s not enough to talk about making our schools better, however; the State Legislature needs to take action and pass a real plan into law.”

http://www.michellechatterton.org/node/133

Larry Seaquist, candidate for the House in the 26th LD, Pos 1

“Up against a Court deadline, being fined $100,000 a day, the Legislature hasn’t done its homework, hasn’t even agreed to a credible plan. Larry lays out a detailed, step-by-step strategy for fully funding the complete system of public education our state must have in this high skills, high competition world.”

http://www.larryseaquist.com/apple-action-agenda/

Randy Spitzer, candidate for the House in the 26th LD, Pos 2

“Years have passed since our Supreme Court ruled the Legislature wasn’t meeting its constitutional duty to fully fund our schools. They didn’t comply, and now the Legislature is being held in contempt and fined $100,000 a day. That’s embarrassing.”

“I will vote to streamline testing and evaluation to empower teachers to do what they do best.  Meanwhile I’ll work to fix our broken tax system to increase funding for education while reducing the burden on the middle class.”

http://www.electspitzer.com/issues.html

Senator Jeannie Darnielle, 27th LD

“PRIORITIZING EDUCATION- As a mother I know how critical our public schools are for preparing our children for the future. Fully funding education is always a priority of mine and especially following the McCleary decision it will be important that our school districts receive the funding they need to be successful.”

http://arcwa.org/resources/Jeannie_Darneille_D_27.pdf

Marisa Peloquin, candidate for the Senate in the 28th LD

“Like so many of you, I don’t understand why the legislature has taken so long to fully fund our schools. I have been active in my PTA for years and believe our public schools need to be the top priority in our state budget. We have work to do to increase the graduation rate and ensure every student has the great teachers and quality schools that they deserve.”

http://www.marisaforsenate.org/issues

Mari Leavitt, candidate for the Senate in the 28th LD, pos 1

“A PTSA leader and longtime college administrator, Mari will demand our fair share for local schools and affordable tuition. She will also work for transportation solutions, community safety and crime prevention.”

http://marileavitt.com/the-issues/why-im-running/

Representative Christine Kilduff, 28th LD, Pos 2

“As your state representative my pledge to you is this:  I will work tirelessly to make sure our state legislature is accountable to the people they represent, not just the wealthy or well-connected few.

That means I will fight every day so that:

Our children, who deserve to attend fully and fairly funded public schools, get an outstanding education that outfits them to compete in the global economy.”

http://christinekilduff.com/pages/89

Representative David Sawyer, 29th LD, Pos 1

“Where you live or the color of your skin should not dictate whether or not you have access to high quality schools. We need to fully fund our schools and continue to increase our investments in high quality early learning in our community. The opportunity gap is increasing and we must reverse the trend to make sure our community has a fair shot at achieving the American Dream.”

http://www.electdavidsawyer.com/Priorities

Michael Pelicotti, candidate for the House in the 30th LD, Pos 1

“Our children are not getting the support they need from Olympia. Legislators are currently being held in contempt by our State Supreme Court for failing to adequately fund our schools. This is unacceptable. Quality education is a right, and is necessary for the future development of our region. Mike will advocate for the funding of schools in our communities to be the paramount duty of the legislature.”

http://www.electmikep.com/read-me/

Kristine Reeves, candidate for the House in the 30th LD, Pos 2

“I want to be part of the solution that ensures that the same excellent education I received growing up and going through the public school system will be there for my children when they reach the age for school. This includes fully funding our K-12 system in accordance with McCleary – this will be achieved by a multitude of methods including closing corporate loopholes and holding corporations fiscally accountable when they take advantage of tax breaks. Funding itself, however, will not complete my vision for all children in our state. We also need to address youth homelessness, lifting the levy lid, and provide more support and ongoing development for our teachers.”

https://www.washingtonea.org/ourvoice/2016-elections/kristine-reeves/

Representative Ruth Kagi, 32nd LD Pos 2

“Every child deserves the right to quality education. In 2014, the WA Supreme Court found the WA legislature in contempt of court for not fully funding education. Fulfilling our paramount duty to fully fund education is the legislature’s primary mission next session.”

http://ruthkagi.org/issues/

Representative Tina Orwall, 33rd LD Pos 1

“From early learning to secondary education, Tina remains committed to providing access to a quality education for all. Understanding the importance of early learning on child development, she works hard to promote policies that protect and expand early learning programs. Tina went to Olympia to fully fund education and has advocated for budgets that retain funding for early learning, K-12 and higher education.”

http://www.electtinaorwall.com/issues/

Representative Mia Gregerson, 33rd LD, Pos 2

“Even in a short session – we support increasing Funding Education”

https://twitter.com/miagregerson33/status/701948403442282497

Representative Joe Fitzgibbons, 34th LD, Pos 2

“The Washington State Constitution tells us that funding K-12 education is the state’s “paramount duty.” And more than just a legal obligation to fund public schools, we have a moral obligation to make sure that all kids are provided the opportunity to learn and succeed. In too many cases, the color of a student’s skin or their zip code determines what opportunities are available. This is not right and it does not build a strong foundation for Washington’s kids to succeed.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/joe-fitzgibbon/what-kind-of-washington-do-we-want-to-live-in/

Irene Bowling, candidate for the House in the 35th LD, Pos 1

“As a mother of 3 children and a life-long educator, Irene Bowling knows that fully funding our schools has to be a top priority.”

https://irenebowling.com/irenes-priorities/

Craig Patti, candidate for the House in the 35th LD, Pos 2

“I believe it is past time to address school funding issues mandated by the Supreme Court; why wait until the last-minute? We can no longer kick the can down the road. I’ll make education funding my highest priority, from early childhood through higher education, while insisting on high academic standards that prepare kids with the skills they need to be successful in our new economy. We also need to begin planning for the post-McCleary era to ensure that Washington does not fall behind again.”

https://craigpatti.com/issues/

Senator Reuven Carlyle, 36th LD

“The paramount duty has not been fulfilled. Many factors have contributed to the disjointed, ineffective tax and funding structure we have today, a structure that virtually guarantees inequitable access and outcomes. Unfortunately, longstanding political and social constructs bar meaningful progress. Nothing, over 40 years of legal battles where the State has been consistently been told to address the inadequate and inequitable system, has really changed.”

We are so much more as a state than what we’ve become.

There are, in fact, other models that might deliver on the Paramount Duty in a more fulsome way than our top-down, centralized approach.”

https://reuvencarlyle36.com/2015/02/12/rethinking-public-school-funding-back-to-a-new-future/

Representative Noel Frame, 36th LD, Pos 1

“I’m tackling the biggest challenge Washington state has ever faced: fixing our regressive and inequitable tax structure. I’ve been working to fix our broken school funding system since its negative effects hit me personally as a high school student.”

http://www.noelframe.com/issues/

Representative Sharon Tomiko Santos, 37th LD, Pos 1

“Every child in Washington state is guaranteed the right to an equitable education under our state constitution,” said Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle), chair of the House Education Committee.

“One size in education does not fit all,” said Santos. “It does not work for all students. Unfortunately, right now the system is designed with this ‘one size fits all’ approach. No matter what their needs, our paramount duty as a legislature is to meet students where they are.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/sharon-tomiko-santos/house-sends-educational-opportunity-gap-bill-to-governors-desk/

Representative Eric Pettigrew, 37th LD, Pos 2

“The opportunity to get a great education shouldn’t depend on the color of your skin or the zip code you are born into. In addition to supporting closing the opportunity gap and fully funding K-12 education, I am making sure that students in our local communities get equal access to education.”

http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/eric-pettigrew/2016-legislative-session-report-to-the-37th-district/

Representative Kristine Lytton, 40th LD, Pos 1

“It is our responsibility to adequately, accurately and amply fund education.”

“The plan we are looking at is to create more data in our districts to determine how much in levy money is being spent.”

“All options have to be on the table. Realizing it’s a difficult question as to where that revenue is going to come from… these will be difficult political decisions.”

https://researchcouncil.org/2015/11/19/policy-today-podcast-common-ground-edition-state-rep-kristine-lytton

Representative Mike Sells, 38th LD, Pos 2

“With a teaching background in both elementary and secondary education with the Everett School District from 1967 to 1998, Mike knows the importance of funding education. As President of the Everett Education Association from 1981 to 1998, he knows how important a good education is, and he has worked to get teachers the tools they need to deliver the kind of education that will help children succeed.”

http://www.mikesells.net/index.html

Lisa Wellman, candidate for the Senate in the 41st LD

“Voters and taxpayers deserve honest answers from their government – a world class education system costs money, and anyone who tells you it doesn’t is lying to you. We’re going to have to find billions of new dollars for education in the next four years, and must consider all options on the table.”

“If government can operate in a transparent way and deliver real and measurable results I believe that taxpayers will trust that we’re spending their money responsibly to build the great education system that we all know is possible and necessary. In my business career, I’ve always focused on accountability and results, and I promise to bring that attitude and framework to finally fulfilling the promise of a quality education for each and every student in Washington.”

http://wellmanforsenate.nationbuilder.com/plan

Representative Tana Senn, 41st LD, Pos 1

“Each year we are taking steps to improve education, but next year is when we must meet our McCleary obligation and finally fully-fund our public schools.”

http://www.electtanasenn.org/issues

Nichole Macri, candidate for the House in the 43rd LD, Pos 1

“Fully fund our schools to comply with the Supreme Court’s McCleary decision.

Close the opportunity gap in our educational system, beginning with early learning and including our schools, so that where kids live isn’t the primary factor in determining their success and whether they go to college or to prison.”

http://votenicole.org/whyrunning/

Daniel Shih, candidate for the House in the 43rd LD, Pos 1

“As your representative, I will work to properly fund public K–12 education, as required by the state Supreme Court decision in McCleary. The legislature’s failure to do so threatens to have a lasting impact on an entire generation of children who depend on public schools for a basic education. The state must not put this off any longer.”

http://www.danshih.com/issues/

John Lovick, candidate for the House in the 44th LD, Pos 1

“As Washington looks to fully fund the K-12 public school system, we must be innovative and creative to ensure that our kids are getting a great education and that our teachers are able to earn a fair wage for a fair day’s work. With a limited General Fund, this is not going to be a straightforward or easy process. However, I believe the McCleary ruling was a wake-up call for all of us. We must invest in our education system not only on the State level, but also find a way to ensure that local issues and control are being addressed to create the best public school system our children deserve.

Finding $9.5 billion to completely address the budget shortfall our schools face is going to be difficult, but I am ready to put in the hard work to buckle down and get things done. I believe we must be creative and innovative to ensure we find every penny we can to address McCleary.”

https://www.washingtonea.org/ourvoice/2016-elections/john-lovick/

Representative Rodger Goodman, 45th LD, Pos 1

“We urgently need to provide FULL funding for our public schools, but we have fallen short. We now face a statewide teacher shortage and classroom shortage – we can wait no longer to hire and reward our dedicated teachers and to build new schools.”

http://rogergoodman.org

Representative Larry Springer, 45th LD, pos 2  

“Children are our most precious resource. As a former teacher, I’ve supported pay raises for teachers and funding to lower class sizes. I’ll make sure we invest in our schools and teachers—not school bureaucracy—and assure that every student that wants to attend college in Washington has access to the school of their choice.”

http://www.larryspringer.org/issues.html/

Senator David Frockt, 46th LD

“We are billions of dollars away from adequately funding the smaller class sizes, all-day kindergarten, operating costs like technology and textbooks, teacher salaries and everything else that constitute a “basic education” as defined by the Legislature. In 2014, David co-sponsored legislation that would have created a formal plan to implement the basic education program by 2018. The bill proposed closing about $100 million in unproductive tax loopholes and putting the money into smaller class sizes and into the voter-approved state cost-of-living salary adjustment that teachers have gone without for too many years. Lowering class size in the early grades, providing all-day kindergarten and early learning, closing the achievement gap, providing adequate compensation to our educators, and making our local districts less reliant on local levies for basic educational expenses, will require leaders to be open to a grand compromise that encompasses both budgeting reform, tax reform and new revenues. David continues to work fully fund public education. “

http://www.davidfrockt.org/why-im-serving/to-champion-our-public-schools-and-universities/

Representative Gerry Pollet, 46th LD, Pos 1

“Our state Constitution – and our moral duty as citizens – requires that we amply fund “general and uniform systems of schools” for “all children… without distinction or preference.”

“Now is the time for every parent, teacher and advocate for our children’s education and our state’s future to unite in a campaign to provide the funding needed to meet this basic obligation.”

http://gerrypollet.com/home/education/

Representative Jessyn Ferrel, 46th LD, Pos 2

“I believe we need to provide adequate resources for all our schools and ensure that every child is healthy, safe, and prepared when he or she comes to school. The good news is that with the State Supreme Court McCleary decision there is a mandate in place to develop solutions.”

http://www.electjessyn.com

Representative Pat Sullivan, 47th LD, Pos 2

“As a father, coach, and PTA volunteer, I am deeply committed to improving our schools. That’s why I sponsored and passed the Education Funding Reform Bill that simplifies budgeting, increases transparency and accountability, improves transportation, and invests additional dollars in our schools. I also passed legislation that gets tough with failing schools, giving kids a better opportunity to succeed.”

http://votepatsullivan.com/pages/4/Issues

Brooke Valentine, candidate for the House in the 47th LD, Pos 1

“We have fallen behind on our paramount duty to amply fund education for all of Washington’s children. I am committed to a budget where our schools and the students they serve are the top priority. There is no greater investment than our children and I will be tireless in my advocacy for all.”

http://brookevalentine.nationbuilder.com/issues

Representative Sharon Wylie, 49th LD, Pos 1

“Highest priority is to do what the McCleary Court case requires: meet our own, bipartisan obligation to fund our basic education system. We need to do this in a way that preserves our safety net and keeps our other obligations intact.”

http://www.sharonfor49th.com/my-priorities/

Aleshia Topper, candidate for the House in the 49th LD, Pos 2

“Electing Alishia to represent families in the 49th Legislative District will put a leader with grit in a position to tackle the challenges our education system faces. Fully funding education means supporting teachers so that they can deliver quality instruction, building learning environments that support future ready skills, and ensuring that the systems that support student success – early learning and child care, housing, food assistance, transportation, health and mental health care, and living wage jobs – are in place to support the whole child.”

http://electtopper.com/issues/

Monica Stonier, candidate for the House in the 49th LD, Pos 2

“Fight for the funding that meets our constitutional obligation and best serves our students and families.”

http://monicastonier.nationbuilder.com/issues

Annette Cleveland, Candidate for the Senate in the 49th LD

“A critical decision before the 2017 Legislature will be to amply fund basic K-12 education (McLeary court case). We must fulfill our constitutional duty. Fighting for quality education, affordable college tuition and workforce development partnerships at local colleges has always been a priority of mine.”

http://www.annettecleveland.com