The education community urges a NO vote against Initiative 985.
“I-985 claims to reduce traffic congestion, but its major effect will almost certainly be to take away money from classrooms,” said Lisa Macfarlane, co-founder of the League of Education Voters. “Our schools need every dollar they currently get to prepare our children for college, job training programs and the workforce.”
“We believe I-985 would result in unacceptable cuts to K-12 education, health care and other programs that are important to children,” said Laura Bay, President of the Washington State PTA.
Why vote NO on I-985?
The paramount duty of the state is public education.
I-985 would take away more than $100 million a year from the state’s general fund which is used to pay for education, health care and social services, and public safety.
Instead, Tim Eyman’s initiative would spend that money on transportation. Currently, user fees such as the gas tax and tolls pay for highway projects. This would be a seismic shift in funding priorities for our state.
A roadblock to quality education.
I-985 is a roadblock in the way of improving Washington’s education system and preparing all children for college, job training and the workforce.
Our state’s general fund is already stretched thin. If I-985 is approved, it will threaten funding for:
- Expanding all-day kindergarten;
- Reducing class sizes; and
- Increasing enrollments at our state’s colleges and universities.
Visit www.no985.org for more information about why voters should oppose I-985.
In the interests of children and schools, we urge a NO vote against I-985.
Lisa McFarlane
