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Rep. Haler says Senate
Democrat budget hurts education and sets voters up for a tax increase
'This budget, as presented, threatens many
of our smaller rural
school districts,' says Haler
Rep.
Larry Haler, R-Richland, issued the following
statement today in regards to today's Senate Democrat budget proposal:
"I'm very disappointed that Senate Democrat budget writers cut so deep
into education funding. This budget, as presented, threatens many
of our smaller rural school districts.
"The class size money from the voter-approved Initiative 728 has been
slashed almost entirely and no longer fulfills voter intent. Levy
equalization for our rural school districts has also been dealt a heavy
blow.
"It's painfully obvious that education bears an abnormally large brunt
of the budget cutting. It appears the strategy is to make as much
noise as possible with the budget cuts -- make them as painful as
possible -- so that voters will be inclined to support a tax increase to
'buy back' services.
"This is disingenuous to our citizens. I believe we can balance
the budget and fund education without raising taxes. We should be
prioritizing government spending and this starts with the state's
paramount duty - education."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Rep. Haler serves as the ranking
Republican on the House Early Learning and Children's Services
Committee, the Higher Education Committee, and the Education
Appropriations Committee.
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For more information, contact:
Brendon Wold, Senior
Information Officer: (360) 786-7698
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