» yessss! | Democracy for Vancouver

It looks like we may get a victory for direct democracy - and schools - here in Washington:

More than a week after Election Day, the vote on a constitutional amendment to allow passage of school levies by a simple majority has swung into the yes column.

A tally posted Tuesday evening on the state secretary of state’s Web site showed HJR4204 passing for the first time, 756,963 to 750,011, or 50.23 percent to 49.77 percent, with 68,726 ballots left to count.
…
Under a constitutional provision dating back decades, levies to raise property taxes temporarily - typically for a year or two - to support public schools must receive at least 60 percent voter approval.

In the past eight years more than 100 school districts received majority approval for levies but fell short of the 60 percent supermajority.

On average across the state, levies account for about 17 percent of local school budgets.

“My faith in representative democracy is growing,” said Christie Querna, president of the Spokane School Board. “I think that the message got out there that this is a fairness issue.”

Maureen Ramos, president of the Spokane Education Association, said that if current trends continue in the final vote count, the margin of victory will likely grow. About 32,000 of the uncounted ballots are in King County, which has voted 58.5 percent yes, the highest percentage in favor in the state.

Seeing that in the Columbian this morning was a great way to start an otherwise gray day.

[emphasis added.]

Last 2 posts in Education

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6 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

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This morning there was one of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen behind Mt. Hood. Perhaps it was shining on all the young people that may benefit from this going in a different direction.

I’d like to see the public educational system expanded to begin at age 3. Would help working mothers and help children during those important years.

[Reply]

1. By bushtool on November 14th, 2007 at 10:11 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
I was talking about the inclement weather in my office right now, more than the actual meteorology this morning.

But I’m glad we can agree on something!

[Reply]

2. By slim on November 14th, 2007 at 3:15 pm (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
Actually I just read another article that stated the levies almost always pass either on the first or second try with the super-majority and the schools almost always ask for all that they can get (the latter I didn’t already know), so I hope this passes so that we don’t have to waste the time and money on the unnecessary extra ballots.

I get disturbed when I get a ballot in the mail with one or two items to vote on because of the waste involved. And that happens frequently since I am in Clark County but not the city of Vancouver.

[Reply]

3. By bushtool on November 14th, 2007 at 4:08 pm (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
This one is a victory we can all revel in, and I will take this teachable moment to emphasize that anyone who tells you that not voting is a good idea is an idiot, and deserves all the scorn you can heap on them.

Your vote cannot count if you do not cast it, and many thanks go out to those of us regular and reliable voters who found a common sense issue to unite behind.

[Reply]

4. By Chief Wahoo on November 14th, 2007 at 4:33 pm (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
Bravo, Chief. Peace.

[Reply]

5. By slim on November 15th, 2007 at 1:43 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
It’s a done deal, no more supermajority.

[Reply]

6. By bushtool on November 16th, 2007 at 6:47 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).