Guest Editorial: Why I Voted Against the State Education Funding Deal

State Senator Jamie Pedersen (D-Capitol Hill) and his family. Pedersen voted against the recent state education funding deal. Courtesy Jamie Pedersen

As the parent of four boys in Seattle public schools, I have been waiting with great anticipation for the legislature’s promised plan for amply funding public education. Over the last few years, our additional funding at the state level has resulted in noticeably smaller class sizes and free all-day kindergarten. Our family has felt the benefits of these investments firsthand.

Last week, the small group of legislators who had been negotiating the legislature’s compromise education funding plan finally unveiled EHB 2242. With great disappointment, I voted against the bill when it came to the Senate floor.

I decided several months ago that I had three criteria on which to judge the final plan.

First, it had to provide substantial additional resources for Seattle Public Schools. On this point, I think that the plan works. Working with SPS administrators, Seattle legislators determined that the plan will provide about $42 million more in 2018-19 than what SPS would have received if there were no reduction in local levies. That grows to $55 million more in 2019-20. The increases are even more dramatic when you compare against the reality of the upcoming “levy cliff,” which would have been devastating for Seattle.

Second, the cost of the additional support had to be reasonable for Seattle taxpayers. On this point, the plan is a closer call. I would have strongly preferred more progressive revenue, like a capital gains tax or a carbon tax. But the Senate Republicans insisted on property tax as the primary funding mechanism. Frankly, it is surprising that we got them to support any tax increase at all. By my math, the price for full funding of public schools statewide works out to be about $300 per year for the owner of a $700,000 home. That increase is not unreasonable, although I would have preferred a solution that did not exacerbate our affordability crisis. I will be working next session to replace some of the state property tax with progressive revenue sources.

Third, the plan had to be sustainable. On this point, the plan fails miserably. The Senate Republicans insisted that starting in 2021, Tim Eyman's one percent limit on property tax growth would be reimposed on the state property tax. We know from sad experience over the last 15 years that as a result, the principal dedicated funding for public schools will wither away over time. In roughly 10 years, we will be right back where we are today.

I am sorry that minority Senate Democrats were not able to fix the bill this year. I am hopeful, however, that we can elect Manka Dhingra in the 45th district this fall and restore Democratic control of the Senate. If that happens, we will have a chance to correct these defects in 2018 and have both permanently increased funding for public schools and progressive tax reform.

Jamie Pedersen is the Washington State Senator for Seattle's 43rd District, which covers Capitol Hill, Montlake, and the University District.