PTA takes agenda to Capitol

BRAD SHANNON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Wednesday, February 27, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Leaders of the state's 142,000-member PTA will be at the Capitol today to roll out proposals for raising taxes and preserving state programs that serve children.

Their message to lawmakers: Find extra money and don't pit human services against education programs.

"We figure if we want them to stick their necks out, we should too. ... We're going to list several options," said Jean Carpenter, executive director for the Washington State PTA.

She will be joined by group President Lisa Bond, Steve Wickmark of the Children's Alliance, and Lisa Macfarlane of The League of Education Voters, which sponsored Initiative 728's class-size reductions two years ago.

Although some senators have suggested a temporary increase in the state sales tax, Carpenter said her group doesn't want that because it would hit poor people harder.

Instead, the group is looking at the potential for new taxes on services and lifting some tax exemptions. "We would like to see some profiles in courage here," Carpenter said.

Brad Shannon is the political editor for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-753-1688 or bshannon@olympia.gannett.com.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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