By Jerry Cornfield | Reporter
Gov. Bob Ferguson has yet to decide whether Washington will join 31 other states that have opted into a new federal tax program aimed at driving more private dollars into the education of K-12 students. Taxpayers in participating states will be able to steer up to $1,700 to groups to provide scholarships to students. The program has its critics.
Also in today’s edition…
UW professors and staff flag budget and bureaucracy troubles.
Washington must move quickly on AI.
And, Charlie Kirk’s family cites lapses in event security at Utah campus.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
Gov. Bob Ferguson hasn’t decided if Washington will participate in a new federal tax credit. In January, it will become available in 31 states. (Photo by Aspen Ford/Washington State Standard)
By Aspen Ford
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit will begin in January. Colorado, Virginia and New York have opted in, while other states led by Democrat governors – Oregon, New Mexico and Hawaii – have publicly declined participation.
Arne Duncan, former U.S. Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, called participating in the program a “moral obligation.”
“I just desperately hope we choose the right thing for kids and the right thing for our country,” Duncan said.
The state’s largest teachers’ union and the state superintendent oppose the tax credit, viewing it as a voucher program that will hurt public schools.
Ferguson is waiting for the federal program’s rules to be final before making a decision.
The Suzzallo Library at University of Washington. (Getty Images)
By Jake Goldstein-Street
There’s concern and discontent in the ranks of University of Washington professors and employees. Critics say a new finance system has led to faculty losing benefits and staff getting incorrect pay. Recent layoffs have caused chaos. “Change can also come with challenges, and we are working quickly and transparently to address any issues as they arise,” a university official said.
COMMENTARY
By Ryan Burns
We’re entering a new world of cyberattacks, and Washington isn’t ready. The time for quick, bold regulatory action was yesterday.
By Annie Knox
Attorneys for the family of Charlie Kirk say his death at Utah Valley University last year was “entirely preventable” had the university put in place tighter security protocols. The allegations, made in a claim that precedes a possible lawsuit, mark the first time the family has publicly blamed the university where Kirk was shot and killed.
ICYMI
WA lawmakers face another $1B decision on lawsuit payouts | Jake Goldstein-Street
Debates set for income tax repeal measure, key WA congressional race | Jerry Cornfield
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