Local Teachers Union and PTA Plan a 'Day of Action' Nov. 28 as Gregoire Asks for Sales Tax Hike

Mercer Island teachers and parents announced rallies Monday to protect public education from budget cuts sought by Gov. Christine Gregoire — on the same day Gregoire proposed a sales-tax increase to offset the cuts to schools, along with reductions in the state corrections system and health and human service programs.

(MIEA) President Tani Lindquist announced the Mercer Island Parent Teacher Association and members of the teacher's union will gather at five of the community's six schools at the end of the school day to demonstrate support on Nov. 28 for funding local public schools. Supporters plan to take photos of teachers, parents, students and members of the community at each school wearing 's school color maroon to show local legislators the priority the community places on education.

"Our kids can't take anymore cuts," said Lindquist. "We're standing together — parents and teachers."

Gregoire announced more than $2 billion in spending cuts in a proposed budget in October, with reductions to local government revenue sharing and fund transfers. The cuts are expected to build a $600 million reserve. According to a statement released today, the cuts include:

• More than $500 million from education programs — reductions that would shorten the K-12 school year, reduce levy equalization payments, and cut state funding for colleges and universities by another 13 to 17 percent;
• More than $690 million from health and human service programs — cuts that would eliminate the state food assistance and Disability Lifeline programs, close one residential habilitation center and reduce personal care services for some of the state’s most vulnerable individuals; and
• Nearly $72 million from the Department of Corrections — reductions that would allow the early release of some offenders, shorten the length of offender supervision and reduce chemical dependency programs by 50 percent.

To balance out the cuts, Gregoire asked the public and the Legislature to consider a temporary one-half cent bump in sales tax to generate more income. She’s recommended to the Legislature to bring the issue to voters and let the public decide on the one-half cent sales tax increase. If approved, the increase would raise $494 million through June 30, 2013, and expire July 1, 2015, according to a statement from the Governor’s office.

The additional revenue, she said, would prevent further cuts to education and public safety, in addition to the preservation of services for the developmentally disabled and those who require long-term care services.

Gregoire also proposed a series of revenue alternatives to the Legislature, to the tune of nearly $341 million.

For more information on the governor's proposed tax revenue ideas, visit: http://www.ofm.wa.gov/budget12/default.asp.

The MIEA plans to meet at , and elementary schools at 2:15 p.m. on the school's playgrounds, 1:20 p.m. at the front of and at 1:45 p.m. in the outdoor amphitheatre.