The House budget also continues I-695 subsidies to some of the wealthiest communities in the state. There is no question that this is a tough budget year. There is also no question that investing in our schools and our teachers is the right thing to do. Lawmakers invited this form of direct democracy by initiative by underfunding schools for years. Last November, 1.7 million voters reminded lawmakers that providing quality public education is the most important task of state government.
Public schools are the cornerstone of our democracy, our communities and our economy.
They are entrusted with giving 1 million of our children the education they need to be productive citizens. Voters are being reasonable in expecting our representatives in Olympia to adequately fund K-12 education without robbing other education programs to pay for the smaller class sizes that our children need and deserve. Voters are also being reasonable in expecting lawmakers to look beyond current budget problems and seek more fundamental solutions that will allow our state to meet all of its critical needs. Lisa Macfarlane and Steve Miller are parents who were sponsors of Initiative 728. Their campaign team is forming a new organization, League of Education Voters.