HomeMy WebLinkAboutFS 2007-08-20 Item 2A - Resolution - Support School Levies Approved by Simple Majority of Voters
City of Tukwila
City Council
MEMORANDUM
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Finance and Safety Committee 0~~ 'j
Verna Griffin, Council President 0(3)
Mayor Mullet
Rhonda Berry, City Administrator
August 13, 2007
Resolution in Support of Simple Majority
TO:
FROM:
CC:
On April 12, 2007, the Washington Legislature passed a joint Resolution putting a constitutional
amendment regarding simple majority on the ballot. Now a majority of voters must approve the
measure at the ballot box. It will be on the general election ballot on November 6,2007.
To support our families, schools and the children of Tukwila, I would like the Council to consider
the attached resolution in support of proposed amendment EHJR 4204.
Attached is a draft resolution that has been reviewed by our City Attorney and the following is a
brief history and review of the process.
What is the supermajority requirement? Although most other electoral decisions only require a
simple majority of 50 percent plus one, the Washington State Constitution requires that voters
approve all school levies and bonds by 60 percent, or a "supermajority." The higher standard
often requires school districts to hold more than one election to pass (sometimes over a number
of years), resulting in higher costs to taxpayers. School election approval is even more difficult
because the Constitution also says that the total "yes" votes must equal three fifths of 40 percent
of the number of votes in the last general election.
Why was the supermajority requirement imposed? The requirement was put into the State
Constitution 63 years ago, when the country was just emerging from the Great Depression and
World War II - a period rife with economic uncertainty and property tax anxiety. Over 2000 school
districts existed and voters were often confused about these elections-hence the term "stealth
elections." Many property owners feared that higher property taxes would be passed by non-
property owners resulting in a higher tax burden for them or even the loss of their home or farm.
Why should we change the supermajority requirement now? With increased accountability
and higher standards we expect a lot more of our students, our teachers and our schools. In turn,
they deserve a fair system for getting financial support from their communities. The conditions
which existed in 1944 no longer exist. There are only 295 school districts. School elections are
highly visible. Every registered voter can vote by absentee ballot. In fact, 34 of 39 counties use all
mail-in ballots. It is not even possible to hold a "stealth election." Every single school election has
surpassed the old validation requirement in the past five years.
Memo: Resolution in Support of Simple Maioritv
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What does EHJR 4204 do? EHJR 4204 is a proposed amendment to the Washington State
Constitution which will provide for a simple majority of voters (50% + 1) to authorize excess
capital, maintenance and operation, and transportation levies for school districts. The
amendment also removes the 40 percent election validation requirement for levy elections.
Currently school levies must receive both a 60% supermajority approval and meet the 40 percent
validation requirement to pass. The ballot measure applies only to school levies. It does NOT
apply to school bond elections.
What happens when school districts can't pass their levies? The cost of running the levy will
go up. Most levies pass eventually, but it can take years and cost the voters millions. Levy
failures result in huge cuts to school staffing and programs, negatively impacting schools and
kids for years - this in turn, impacts our community.
Is this a tax increase? No. EHJR 4204 is a constitutional amendment. It is not a tax increase.
How can the supermajority be changed? A constitutional amendment is required to change
the supermajority requirement.
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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT EHJR 4204, WHICH
WOULD ALLOW LOCAL SCHOOL LEVIES TO BE APPROVED BY A
SIMPLE MAJORITY OF VOTERS.
WHEREAS, financial resources provided through voter-approved school levies are
essential to a local school districts' ability to provide a well-rounded, quality education for
each student; and
WHEREAS, local levy dollars account for a significant portion of school district
operating budgets in Washington; and
WHEREAS, school districts in the State of Washington are subject to laws requiring a
higher" supermajority" threshold for voter approval of school levies; and
WHEREAS, although routinely supported by a majority of voters, school levies fail
because this higher threshold requirement allows a minority of voters to obstruct resources
for student learning; and
WHEREAS, EHJR 4204 would allow school levies to be approved by a majority of
those voting, which would place school levies on par with other ballot measures; and
WHEREAS, the State of Washington's constitution declares that there is no higher
priority than the education of all children; and
WHEREAS, the fundamental mission of Washington State's public schools is to ensure
that all students possess the knowledge and skills to be responsible citizens and enjoy
productive and satisfying lives; and
WHEREAS, adequate, stable funding is critical to the fulfillment of this mission; and
WHEREAS, the Tukwila City Council believes the community is best served by
assuring that the Tukwila School District can provide the best levels of education to its
youth;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA,
WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
The City Council strongly supports EHJR 4204, to allow citizens throughout the state.to
support student learning and success through simple majority approval of school levies,
and urges TukwiIa citizens to vote "yes" on November 6, 2007.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUKWILA, WASHINGTON, at a
Regular Meeting thereof this ' day of , 2007.
ATTEST/ AUTHENTICATED:
Verna Griffin, Council President
Jane E. Cantu, CMC, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM BY:
Office of the City Attorney
Filed with the City Clerk:
Passed by the City Council:
Resolution Number:
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