Letter to the Editor: Champions of Education

To the Editor:

The following two paragraphs are excerpted from the House Democrats website.

"OLYMPIA – With support from 48 Democratic sponsors, the 11 newest members of the House Democratic Caucus today introduced a bill that would end more than $170 million worth of tax exemptions. The money would be redirected for smaller class sizes in K-3 to provide young children with more individualized attention."

"House Bill 2078 would close a pair of tax exemptions – a B&O exemption for corporate banks and the sales tax exemption for out-of-state shoppers. Ending those two exemptions would generate $170.3 million for K-3 classrooms in 2011-13, an investment linked to basic education reforms that have stalled due to a $5.1 billion shortfall in the state’s budget."

Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline) and Rep. Ruth Kagi (D-Lake Forest Park) are among the sponsors.

While many others claim to respect and hold dear our state constitution, these legislators have demonstrated that they take their oath of office as a promise to fulfill their constitutional obligation by complying with Article IX, Education, Section 1 Preamble, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders . . ."

It is to be hoped that similar legislation will be adopted that will support all levels of public education in our state, most of which are severely imperiled by proposed destructive budget cuts.

Champions of education deserve thanks from all Washingtonians, regardless of party, who know that public education benefits not only those it serves directly, but also the public and private sectors of every community in our state.

Elaine Phelps

Shoreline