On Wednesday, March 15, Gov. Jay Inslee signed the levy cliff bill, SB 5023, preventing the largest funding cut to K-12 schools in state history. The legislation delays a scheduled reduction in the money school districts can collect through local property taxes already approved by voters.
From the start of this legislative session, Senate Democrats fought day after day to bring the levy cliff bill up for a vote in an effort to prevent a $358 million cut to schools across our state. Finally, after countless calls, emails and personal visits from students, teachers, principals, superintendents, parents and others, Senate Republicans relented and allowed a vote last week on SB 5023. The bill passed with only one vote in opposition.
With passage of the levy cliff bill, Senate Democrats have cleared the path for the Legislature to focus on fully and fairly funding K-12 education in our state. We hope Republicans will join us in this effort to strengthen education for Washington’s 1.1 million students.
