Lawmakers must protect education, ask for voter approval to save other programs

I tried, I really tried to parse this editorial. I gave up. I think I understand its intent, but the incomplete sentences and unintended references left me breathless. As one example, does the Times really think "keeping felons locked up.... is a form of blackmail?"

SEN. Ed Murray has it right — that any ballot question asking voters to approve tax increases has to follow legislative action that fills the $2 billion shortfall.

Otherwise, the Senate Ways and Means chair told Seattle Times reporter Andrew Garber, voters will not believe the Legislature will cut.

That is right. Cut, then ask voters for money to restore programs.

But as Murray and his committee write a budget that aligns with economic realities, they must set different priorities than what Gov. Chris Gregoire did. First, they must reject any effort to gamble education funding by subjecting it to the whim of recession-weary voters.

Time for lawmakers to lead reform, not play at marketing to see just how threatened they can make voters so they tax themselves.

Gregoire suggested more severe cuts to higher education and a four-days-shorter school year, among other cuts. Then she proposed a temporary half-penny-per-dollar increase in the sales tax for the March ballot to “buy back” the education cuts as well as cuts to corrections and disability programs.

The thought is you have to give voters something they are willing to pay for — higher education, helping people with disabilities, keeping felons locked up.

But that is a form of blackmail — and it is not a risk worth taking. There is no guarantee voters will approve any tax increase. A recent Elway Poll suggests that as many as 64 percent of voters would approve a temporary sales-tax increase, but almost a third of those who are receptive were only “probably willing.” Just last year, voters repealed a Legislature-imposed tax on pop and candy.

This editorial page supports exploring new revenue as a partial solution to the budget gap, including ending some tax exemptions that have outlived their purpose and, yes, possibly a sales-tax increase.

However, a more responsible approach to a taxing ballot measure is to include such things as the Basic Health Plan, a noble health-care plan for lower-income people, or funding for the just-approved Initiative 1163, which requires expanded training for long-term-care workers. That is a good one for Murray, who in October said he would likely vote for the SEIU-sponsored initiative even though it means cuts to other more critical programs.

None are core functions of government and should be ended in the all-cuts budget. Then include them in a tax package and have their advocates make the financial case to voters.

Do not gamble with core essentials.