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Kristiansen: Levy
equalization cuts in Democrat
operating budget could be devastating to local schools
Rural areas rely on funds to maintain same quality
education as affluent districts
The funding gap between
the state's wealthier and poorer school districts got much wider Friday
evening after House Democrats rejected an amendment to restore levy
equalization money in their state operating budget.
Levy equalization provides
a state match to help offset differences in funding and tax rates
between wealthier and poorer schools.
The budget plan would cut 16 percent, or $60 million,
from those levy matches to local school districts.
Rep. Dan
Kristiansen who serves the largely rural 39th Legislative
District, said the cuts in levy equalization funds would unfairly target
schools in rural areas.
"Our entire school system -- every
school in the 39th District -- relies heavily on levy equalization. This
will be devastating to them. The more affluent parts of the state will
have a far better education system than other school districts because
this Democrat spending plan uses a large portion of the levy
equalization dollars to balance the budget," said Kristiansen,
R-Snohomish. "That's going to leave many of our local school districts
to try come up with the difference."
Kristiansen supported an amendment to
restore the funds which failed by a vote of 43-52.
In an effort to make up those dollars, the budget allows school
districts to lift their levy lids by 4 percent, which currently vary by
district between 24 and 34 percent. The 39th District lawmaker said
that could mean higher taxes for home and property owners in middle- and
lower-income areas of the state.
"When
you've got a home that's worth half or less of the price of those in
places like Seattle, its taxes end up being much higher to pay for the
same quality of education as those in affluent school districts," added
Kristiansen. "The majority of people in our rural school districts
understand the importance of levy equalization dollars. This budget
tonight killed a substantial portion of that support."
The
operating budget passed the House, 54-42. Kristiansen voted no.
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For more information, contact:
John
Sattgast, Senior Information Officer: (360) 786-7257
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