Washington Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on February 5, 2007

Click here to view bill details.

It is appropriate that, to impose such a burden of taxes upon citizens, it be broadly accepted as necessary. This is a bad idea.

What's the matter, Anonymous Citizen who is not the Anonymous citizen currently commenting? Have you got something against us children? Okay, sorry, that was a poor stab at sarcasm and probably a bit unnecessary. I apologize. But I can't see how people can advocate the denial of funding to schools (and under-funded schools, at that) because of what, to me, seems like a petulant reluctance to pay a bit more for gasoline or cigarettes or blue jeans. Isn't our laggardly performance in education one of the most important issues facing America today, as our pundits and editorial writers like so much to remind us? Do you want us to lose our status as a superpower because our children aren't getting the funding they need for the best education in the most modern facilities? Why should our levies be stalled just because we have a ridiculous supermajority requirement that lets a minority of our voters vote down a measure the majority supports? In a world where, sadly, economic inequality is still a fact of life, why oppose a measure that will keep an avaricious minority from undercutting an arena where the disadvantaged may better themselves? And after all, what's wrong with simple majority vote? Isn't that how we elect our Congressmen (and, in my humble opinion, our Presidents)? If it's good enough for something as important as deciding who runs the country, why isn't it good enough for you, Anonymous Citizen who is not me? Oh, and thanks, Shirley Hankins. I am a high school student myself, and in my capacity as such, I wish to thank you on behalf of my peers, my teachers, my parents, and the children not yet born who will pass through the schools of our great state and enjoy the educational programs you now help to build.

What it boils down to for me is the fact that just because I'm a property owner, it is I (and all the other property owners) that are constantly penalized just because we own property. By a majority vote or a super majority vote, the end result is the same. We property owners are taxed AGAIN! Why is it that only we property owners are required to pay for every little thing that comes along at the whim of every "tax and spend" tax advocate that sits in Mount Olympia ? I have many friends who are renters yet their rent is unaffected by these taxes and levies but my tax is already through the roof and just keeps increasing....over and over and over again. At this rate, when I retire, I will be forced from my home because I won't be able to afford to pay Olympia (not to mention...the FEDS) Not only NO... but HELL NO and UHH UHH too!

I’m seventeen. I’m not-as of yet-considered intelligent or mature enough to vote. But I’m not so immature that I can’t tell a good idea when I see one, and I’m not so unintelligent that I can’t tell an unfair and outdated system when I see one. Why should thousands of students just like me find themselves learning history and biology with texts published in 1992 instead of 2007 because a petulant minority would rather buy a pair of designer jeans than pay for new schoolbooks? Why should thousands of students just like me find themselves trying to study with the threat of violence hanging over their heads because a petulant minority would rather buy a steak dinner than pay for security staff? Why should thousands of students just like me find themselves trying to do research and type papers on ancient, buggy, virus-ridden computers because a petulant minority would rather buy a new set of power tools than pay for up-to-date, functional PCs? Why should thousands of students just like me may find themselves chilled to the bone by the cold of winter and sweltering in the summer heat because a petulant minority would rather buy a plasma screen TV then pay for the replacement of decrepit heating and air conditioning units? The State does not completely provide the money necessary to supply us kids with everything. That’s where school levies come in. Because of school levies, I’ve been able to take advantage of an education that makes full use of modern textbooks and technology. Because of school levies I’ve been able to study and learn in a secure, comfortable environment. And because of school levies, I’ve been able to enjoy extensive extracurricular activities that have vastly enriched my experience as a High School Student. I don’t see why a minority of voters should be able to deny anybody these basic educational rights. I may not be able to vote, but I intend to make sure that when I have kids, they get the schooling they deserve. But I don't see how that can happen as long as prisons and parks are easier to pay for than schools. Do you people seriously care less about education than you care about keeping your taxes low?

"It is appropriate that, to impose such a burden of taxes upon citizens, it be broadly accepted as necessary." Okay, ignoring the spurious grammatical content of the above sentence, why should something as crucial to the economic and social future of our state as a school levy be held back by a minority just because you feel like 50% isn't "broad" enough for you? After all, it's good enough for electing our governors and our senators.