Washington Votes Forum

Introduced in the House on January 25, 2005, to authorize voter-approved regular property tax levies for school purposes

The vote was 50 in favor, 46 opposed and 2 not voting

(House Roll Call 0 at House Journal 0)

Click here to view bill details.

My reading of the text of House Bill 1484 indicates that this bill when enacted into law would permit taxing agencies in Washington state to increase my property taxes from about $7000/year to over $100,000 per year. Are you serious? Do you want to start a revolution?

You may have incorrectly placed a decimal point, I compared the percentage with my present tax it was not that wise of a gap. HOWEVER...I am greatly opposed to putting money into a fund that dishes out needs on childrens test scores. ALL moneys need to be divided equally to each child in school. Stop wasting time on prepping for WASL's and get the teachers back to TEACHING for gosh sakes or I will pull my children OUT of the school system and home school them.

This bill should only be passed on house hold with one or more students that are enrolled in a washington public school,It is not the duty of every day people with no children too pay for somthing that is not helping,or benifiting them.I belive in this bill but it schould be modified so that it only applies to those people whom are parents of students in wahinton public schools.please respond patrick_g_2010@hotmail.com

I am flatly opposed to any bill that further taxes us, especially one based on cost of living. There is already laws in place for schools to pass levy's, and we dont need more, especially those that stands to deepen government pockets.

This bill is totally disgraceful

Teachers work approx. 180 days per year, and those with tenure make from $45,000 to $65,000 for their work. Most other workers put in 350 days per year, and many of us earn about 1/2 of what teachers make by working twice as many days. (I earn $30,000 annually.) I also live in a high-cost housing area. If this bill becomes law, I will be forced to pay almost $400. more per year, so that teachers in my district can receive an additional $1,000. pay per year. How is this fair???? It's like Robin Hood in reverse! If one chooses to live in a high-cost housing area, one should expect to pay for such cost, or move. That's the choice the rest of us live with.

In 1983 I escaped from a Communist East-European country where the government taxed us to the max. In Washington state I feel I am back in Communism where the government tramples on the will of the people (didn't we vote NO on sports-stadium and the government still built it ?) Do you think they did it with the politicianss' money or OUR money ? Dear fellow citizens, keep electing the liberals in government and be happy if you still will have some money to buy a shirt for yourselves. Didn't Ron Sims bought new computers and software in King County for 30-40 million $$ and then he trashed them to the garbage dumpster because they wer not good at all ? Our politicians are trashing our hard-earned money ... we should not give it to them. Please send a NO vote to HB 1484 and don't allow Mr. Ross Hunter to hunt his voters with our money. I am proud of Phyllis Gutierez Kebbey and Jim McIntire (Democrats of Seattle)for their NO vote in Legislature. Thank you, nov_ac5983_@hotmail.com

Where are we suposed to get the money to pay this. Didn't we already vote for casino revenue to fund teachers saleries.

What part of NO doesn't the WEA understand? When the State Attorney General says NO to teacher strikes, they "respectfully disagree" anyway forcing school districts to fear for the worst. When the taxpayer$ say NO to 884, they try an end-run via "sin" taxes (which I, BTW, don't consume) and the death tax. When the State Senate says NO to a "simple" majority in the dead of winter, they now try this scheme that is blatantly un-state constitutional.

As a 32 year public school teacher I have put in a full year's work every year as established by the state legislature. If the state of WA chooses to add more days to the school year, then teachers will work those days. My colleagues put in time outside of what the state contracts for in order to accomplish everything that must be done when working with students in the classroom. Half of my summers(forced layoff)have been spent improving my skills in order to be come a better teacher. Ulitimately, local voters will decide whether or not to increase their tax revenue investment in support of improved salaries for their education employees which is what democracy is all about....self-rule.

WEA propaganda cites a teacher with 8 years tenure married to an ex-painter now teacher. Combined income probably 85K +. Currently paying 23K condo mortgage per yr. That leaves $62K after mortgage for 9 months work. Not a bad gig! About twice what I gross by driving a truck. We're critically short of truck drivers, so where's MY housing subsidy????

The problem with your example is where you say it's a COMBINED income total. As I'm sure you know $40,000 a year gross is not a heck of a lot these days for a single wage earner. Should people be penalized for having two wage earners contributing to the family income? Most people don't have a choice if they want to keep food on the table.

What the heck are you talking about, Bevis??? You sound like a teacher....Your comment has no relevence to the topic, just as teaching as an occupation has little relevance to labor in the real world.

I can see why you're driving a truck. You obviously didn't pay attention in school and now you're whining that you're earnings are less than two wage earners combined. Teachers make relatively little compared to other folks who sweat their butts off getting a college degree...like lawyers for instance. I'm not a teacher Bozo. But I did go to school and later to college and manage to make a good living as a result. It's interesting to note: People with an axe to grind usually place their own short comings on others.

Half of your summers are spent honing your skills? The facts are: ALL of my summers are spent actually working for a living. You are already compensated quite handsomely for hours actually worked compared to many of us who labor 12 months per year. Why should you expect a housing allowance when plumbers, electricians, grocers, truck drivers or any other skilled professionals get none? Contrary to what you apparently believe, teachers are no more special than anyone else who contributes to our culture.

You digressed from the topic. In 1986 truck drivers made about $35,000 annually, while teachers earned about $25,000. Today, truck drivers make about $35,000 annually. After allowing for 5% per annum inflation, my wages as a driver have been cut in half. (5% X 20 years = 100%) Today teachers earn two to three times what truck drivers earn for hours worked. So why should all workers, most of whom earn far less than teachers, be required to subsidize teachers housing?

What's a "teacher Bozo"?? You left the comma out, Joe college. When you go back to school choose a college with air conditioning this time so you won't sweat your butt off. You digressed from the topic. In 1986 truck drivers made about $35,000 annually, while teachers earned about $25,000. Today, truck drivers make about $35,000 annually. After allowing for 5% per annum inflation, my wages as a driver have been cut in half. (5% X 20 years = 100%) Today teachers earn two to three times what truck drivers earn for hours worked. So why should all workers, most of whom earn far less than teachers, be required to subsidize teachers housing?