To the Editor,
Two weeks ago, I warned that Battle Ground must not become the next "Vader"—the district that dissolved because the math simply stopped working. Today, that risk is a reality. Our levy has failed, and $20 million in immediate cuts are looming for our students.
However, a new clarity is emerging. Many who voted "No" did so as a protest against a state funding model that forces local residents to pay for what the State Constitution calls its "Paramount Duty." If that vote was meant to force the State’s hand, then it is time to do exactly that.
We are trapped in a "Levy Death Spiral." Olympia passes mandates—like the $2 million transportation spike—but provides zero funding. They label safety and nursing as "optional enrichment" rather than basic education. This forces us to drain our local reserves, leading directly to the loss of local control.
It is time to stop the neighbor-vs-neighbor bickering and start a Unity in our Community. I am asking every resident to contact our 18th and 20th District legislators today. Demand that they provide emergency relief in the supplemental budget before the March 12th deadline.
A student’s safety and education should not be determined by their zip code. Let’s put the Unity back in our Community.
CALL OR EMAIL THESE LEGISLATORS TODAY:
18th Legislative District
Senator Adrian Cortes (D): Adrian.Cortes@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7634
Rep. Stephanie McClintock (R): Stephanie.McClintock@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7850
Rep. John Ley (R): John.Ley@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7812
20th Legislative District
Senator John Braun (R): John.Braun@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7638
Rep. Peter Abbarno (R): Peter.Abbarno@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7896
Rep. Ed Orcutt (R): Ed.Orcutt@leg.wa.gov | (360) 786-7990
Ryan Anderson
Battle Ground
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