|
2006 Seattle Elections Primary Elections Voters' Guide Initiative 88 - Funding for Seattle Schools Statement Against Dear Voters: We are Seattle Mayors, current and former, who care deeply about education. If educational excellence is your highest priority, like it is for the three of us, then vote NO on I-88. Why? I-88 is financially irresponsible, ignores the state's duty to fully fund education, and is inequitable for children. I-88 is Financially Irresponsible The Seattle School District already has huge financial problems, and cannot even pay for current services. It is on the path to bankruptcy. They project a deficit mounting to $141 million in five years. The most amazing part is, none of the money raised by I-88 can be used to pay for the District's budget deficit - it just adds new costs. Instead of fixing its problems, I-88 would make the deficit even bigger - more than $180 million. I-88 won't reduce the District's deficit by even one dollar. This is the opposite of good financial management. Education Funding is the State's Job We all care about education, but it is the state's job to fund it, according to the State Constitution. This initiative asks Seattle homeowners to pay more, instead of asking the state to fulfill its duty. Governor Gregoire's state task force, Washington Learns, is about to make recommendations on education funding across the state. Voting for this initiative will send a message to the state that we don't need more money and will hurt our chances of getting more. I-88 Destroys Educational Equity and Social Justice Laws If you care about low-income children having equal access to education no matter where they live, then you should oppose I-88. It creates a loophole in the state law for the Seattle School District to tax homeowners more than other districts can tax. This goes against the spirit of our state's strict education funding laws that make sure all children have the same access to quality education. The City of Seattle has already shown a strong commitment to education through its $117 million Families and Education Levy, approved by voters three times. Seattle is the only city in the nation to support its schools in this way. Voters just increased the amount of this levy by 70% in 2004, and it will last for five more years. We support this existing tax, but strongly oppose I-88. It is just too much. This initiative is the wrong way to fund education. Vote NO. Statement prepared by: Mayor Greg Nickels Rebuttal to Statement Against It's disappointing but not surprising that downtown politicians oppose Initiative 88. Their priorities are sports stadiums and roads, not our city's children. I-88 is a neighborhood solution that will improve student achievement and ensure all Seattle public school students receive a well-rounded education. I-88 helps fund programs that benefit kids: Arts and music. Smaller class sizes. All-day kindergarten. I-88 is endorsed by parents, teachers, PTAs and other public school supporters. I-88 money will benefit students, not bureaucracy. It's a temporary solution that expires after six years. The Seattle School Board has a separate plan for cutting waste and balancing the district's budget. The state is failing to adequately fund education, but I-88 opponents have failed to offer solutions. For about $150 a year on a $400,000 home, I-88 will restore arts and music, reduce class sizes and fund all-day kindergarten. Support Seattle's children. Vote YES on I-88. Rebuttal prepared by: Peter Steinbrueck, Parent & Seattle City Council Member |
|
|