The League of Education Voters has a long history of fighting for education funding.

During the past 12 years, LEV successfully passed a statewide initiative which amended the state constitution to only require a simple majority vote for school levies. LEV also worked to reduce class size by supporting the passage of I-728 and defended an important education revenue source with the defeat of I-1033, aimed at lowering property taxes.

The Washington State Constitution states, “It is the paramount duty of the state to make ample provision for the education of all children residing within its borders, without distinction or preference on account of race, color, caste, or sex.”

In January 2012, the Washington state Supreme Court upheld the ruling in McCleary v. Washington that the state is not living up to its constitutionally mandated “paramount duty” to fully fund basic education. The court ordered the Legislature overhaul how education is funded in the state by 2018.

In February of 2013, LEV won its challenge to Initiative 1053, which required a two-thirds majority to pass revenue or close loopholes in the legislature.

Resources:

A PARAMOUNT DUTY:Funding Education for McCleary and Beyond. Washington Budget and Policy Center (February 2013)

School Funding: Providing Ample, Equitable & Stable Resources (January 2013)