Thanks to Washington’s Paramount Duty for the following action – join them and other organizations across the state today in demanding that our state adequately fund its public schools!
This is an urgent moment to for our schools and our state! Washington State has the most upside-down tax code in the nation. The Legislature has an opportunity to pass a capital gains tax on the extraordinary profits of 13,400 of Washington’s wealthiest residents when they make more than $200,000 in a calendar year on selling stocks, bonds or property this session. An extraordinary profits capital gains tax will raise $2.68 billion in much-needed revenue.
We need that revenue to be dedicated to the Education Legacy Trust Account to help fund Pre-K, childcare, K-12, and special education programs. We also need legislators to restore flexibility on local levies so as to prevent huge cuts for our public schools this fall.
ACTION: Ask your State Senators to Fund Public Education
Call the Washington State Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 (TTY for Hearing Impaired 800.833.6388). They will ask for your address, and leave a message for your State Senator and legislators
-OR-
Call or email your legislators’ offices directly. You can find their phone numbers at https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/.
Suggested Script (if you are emailing please use your own words!):
“Hi, my name is [NAME] and I am calling from [PLACE]. I am urging you to fund our public schools and prevent cuts, and do so with new, progressive revenue. Specifically, I am asking you to support a bold capital gains tax on the extraordinary profits of the highest earners in Washington State. I also support restoring flexibility on local levies to prevent cuts in the classroom. The new revenue should go to the Education Legacy Trust Account to help fund Pre-K, childcare, K-12, and special education programs.
Background:
http://paramountduty.org/some-truths-about-local-levies-and-teacher-pay/
