A budget is a value statement
As you know, we are headed to a special session and it’s not because we couldn’t get our job done, it’s because Senate Republicans and House Democrats were not able to agree on what’s best for the state.
Washington has the most regressive tax system in the country but Senate Republicans have refused to consider fair revenue proposals. Instead of asking corporations or the wealthy few to pay their fair share, they want to make cuts to tuition assistance, underfund state employee contracts, and neglect critical mental health services.
The Senate Republicans’ budget relies on accounting gimmicks and false projections. It assumes hundreds of millions more in marijuana sales than anyone expects. Under their plain, Washingtonians will have to dramatically increase their marijuana consumption in order to fully fund our public school system.
In contrast, the House Democrats’ budget supports an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few. By making smart investments in education and transportation we are creating an economy that is built to last.
Our plan increases funding for K-12 education by 21%, adds all-day kindergarten statewide, reduces class sizes for K-3, and provides funding for textbooks, classroom supplies, and general school operating costs. Our budget begins to restore the LONG overdue cost of living adjustments for school employees, who have seen a 15% reduction in their purchasing power over the last 6 years.
We’re investing in quality early learning services and child care. We freeze college tuition while increasing funding for tuition assistance so both middle class and low income students have a chance to go to college.
A budget is a values statement. It’s about who we are and what we believe in. Do we want to be a state that continues making cuts and leaving those with the most need behind, or do we want to be a state that moves forward together making investments in our future for a stronger, healthier, and more competitive Washington for everyone?
We value opportunity and these investments help ensure every kid has the chance to compete in the classroom and, eventually, in the workforce.
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Newspapers in Washington agree: The House plan puts Washington back on track
Acknowledging our unfair tax system, the Everett Herald said: “As to fairness, our tax system is not. The state’s system relies heavily on revenue from sales tax and has repeatedly been criticized as the most regressive in the United States” And the Seattle Times called our capital gains tax on the wealthy few a “provocative idea” that could “ease a regressive tax code that favors Seattle’s accumulating tech wealth.”
The Olympian loves the idea of cutting tuition, but not the Senate’s plan to cut financial aid at the same time. Their suggestion to the Legislature? “They should raise revenues for higher education by adopting a capital-gains tax that can help pay for both student financial aid and cover the lost tuition revenue.
Finally, the Tri-City Herald agreed with the House determination that new revenue is needed. They said: “There is not enough revenue being generated under Washington’s current regressive tax structure to adequately meet the needs of all the public services it should provide”
The message is clear: The House has the right budget to get Washington back on track and the Senate Republicans don’t get us where we need to be as a state and a leader in the country.
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Overdue Transportation Investments
One way commutes between Everett and Seattle have increased by nearly 20 minutes since 2011, most of that increase is in the last year alone. Drivers need to allow themselves at least 80 minutes to make the morning commute.
It’s been a decade since the last transportation revenue package and it’s time to act. In the House we put forward a new proposal that will fund much-needed transportation infrastructure in our community and across our state.
Our economy depends on businesses being able to efficiently transport goods and products to markets. Commuters need to be able to get to their jobs without wasting time and money stuck in traffic. Overall our proposal would create 100,000 jobs across Washington.
Reps. Lillian Ortiz-Self, Luis Moscoso and I successfully managed to include $152 million in transportation projects in the Snohomish area. Read about those amendments here.
Some of the major improvements in the 38th District will include;
- I-5 improvements between Everett and Marysville.
- Rebuilding the interchange of I-5 and Highway 529 to relieve congestion.
- New off ramp on Highway 526 at Hardeson Road, improving access to the SW Everett Industrial District.
- Funding for the Swift II Rapid Transit System.
Full project list for the 38th LD
This is an honest package that reflects Washington values. Unlike the Senate proposal, it doesn’t divert sales tax revenue to pay for transportation or raid money that is dedicated to funding environmental cleanup. Nor does it count that money multiple times, which the Senate Republicans did in their operating budget. Our package builds a world-class, multimodal transportation system without mortgaging our schools, our environment, or our future.
