Editorials, Feb. 8

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Pierce College protests against education cuts

Pierce College protests against education cuts

About 250 students who represented 13 community and technical colleges in Washington state shouted to the rooftops of the Capitol Rotunda last week in Olympia.Their message: “No ifs, no buts, no fees, not cuts!”
Candidates spar for 25th District seats at the Capitol

Candidates spar for 25th District seats at the Capitol

Political candidates who have their eye on a seat in public office got their campaigns in full swing last week as they declared their intention to run.
Olympia 2012: Many claim education funding not adequate

Olympia 2012: Many claim education funding not adequate

OLYMPIA -- A bill that requires the state to pass the K-12 education budget before all other budgets found support at a House committee hearing this week, but educators and parents worry the state does not have enough money to adequately fund education.

House Bill 2533, also called Fund Education First, tells lawmakers when to discuss education funding, not how -- or how much -- to fund education.

Rep. Larry Haler, R-Richland, told the Herald that he supports the bill, and education must be better funded at the state level.
Editor's Desk: Supreme Court ruling should reset state's priorities

Editor's Desk: Supreme Court ruling should reset state's priorities

THE STATE Supreme Court ruled last week what many people have been saying for years: The Legislature isn’t doing its “paramount duty,” according to the state constitution, to fund basic eduction.
House Republicans claim to spare K-12

House Republicans claim to spare K-12

House Republicans offered a “fund education first” budget Thursday, highlighting what they depicted as $580 million more for K-12 public schools than Gov. Chris Gregoire’s budget would allocate.

The Herald

Published: 02/08/12 12:50 pm

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Puyallup legislators are advocates for education

Being on the floor of the Capitol Rotunda and hearing the groundswell of emotion emanating from students who want their tuition to stabilize and cuts to programs and staffing to go away was heartening.

There is definite movement by young adults in this state to get state legislators to listen. And they are listening.

Fortunately, we have Representatives Hans Zeiger and Bruce Dammeier and state Senator Jim Kastama representing our 25th District here in Puyallup.

Zeiger made it clear when he spoke to students at the Rotunda that he is determined to make students voices heard during budget balancing talks.

Both he and Dammeier are opposed to a half-cent sales tax increase recommended by Governor Chris Gregoire that would “buy back” proposed cuts to higher education.

Dammeier states this sales tax increase uses higher education as leverage, which is wrong. The Herald couldn’t agree more.

For kindergarten through 12th grade education funding, Dammeier is also sponsoring House Bill 2533 that would require the state Legislature to pass a separate K-12 education budget before any other state appropriations are made.

The Herald believes strongly that Zeiger, Dammeier and Kastama have Puyallup’s best interests at heart.

For students who would like to make their voice heard continuously, the College Promise Coalition has a goal to collect 5,000 signatures or more from students across the state. The signed petition will be delivered to the Legislature and Governor Chris Gregoire

Signing the petition also makes students a member of the College Promise Coalition.

To sign the petition, visit www.collegepromisewa.com. Students can also call the governor or their legislator to tell them “no more cuts” at 1-800-562-6000. Students can also find addresses to write the governor or legislators at www.leg.wa.gov and follow the CPC at www.facebook.com/stophigheredcuts or http://twitter.com/collegepromise.

Sumner School District puts science, art in front

On Saturday, Feb. 4, Mt. View Middle School in Bonney Lake hosted some very smart arts and science students from the Sumner School District.

Hundreds of students entered their science projects and art work.

Superintendent Craig Spencer told The Herald that arts and sciences are very important to the district. Art is a graduation requirement. Art teachers say how wonderful it is to be part of a district that values the arts and sciences.

When students talk about their projects, their eyes light up. The Sumner School District should be commended for their goal to preserve the arts and sciences and rewarding those students who excel beyond measure.

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