OLYMPIA, Wash. - Gov. Jay Inslee has proposed tapping into the state's reserves to comply with a final timeline required for Washington state to come into compliance with a state Supreme Court mandate on education funding, and he's proposing a new tax on carbon emissions from fossil fuels to backfill that withdrawal.
The governor announced the proposal Thursday during the unveiling of his supplemental budget proposal, which makes some tweaks to the current $43.7 billion, two-year state budget that was adopted earlier this year. Inslee's plan proposes spending $950 million to fully implement the state's salary allocation for teachers starting with the September 2018 school year. His plan relies on a carbon tax that is still to be officially introduced that would restore that money back to the reserves.
The new proposal also includes putting more money toward the state's mental health system and toward efforts to battle opioid addiction in the state.
"I believe it is a workable way to help us solve our challenge with our kids' education and our kids’ health," said Inslee.
In a written statement, Senate Minority Leader, Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, had issues with the proposal.
"I am concerned about his willingness to raid the state's reserves," said Schoelser.
He also said the carbon tax would impact businesses and families in Washington.
"It would force companies who employ workers around the state to move overseas, costing many Washington families their jobs," said Schoesler.
