Inslees budget solves school funding with help from carbon
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Thursday laid out his blueprint to amply fund public schools by a looming deadline, bolster the mental health system, plug a hole in the state’s Medicaid program, and create a carbon pricing scheme that’s been his top priority since taking office.
His plan, contained in a proposed supplemental budget, commits to putting another $950 million into public schools to ensure the state is paying its full share of basic education by next September, as demanded by the state Supreme Court.
“It’s the final step to completion of this constitutional obligation,” Inslee said. “Our teachers and students are depending on us to deliver this year.”
Under his approach, money from the state reserves would cover the cost and school districts would receive those dollars throughout the next school year. He would restock the reserve with revenue from a new tax or fee on carbon to be collected starting in 2019. Details of that plan will be provided next month, he said.
http://www.heraldnet.com/news/inslee-budget-solves-school-funding-puzzle-with-piece-of-carbon/
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