Fund our schools: make the wealthiest pay their fair share

I am writing to state the obvious: we cannot keep expecting working-class and poor families to bear the brunt of funding for our schools. Washington's wealthiest corporations and individuals need to step up and pay their fair share. This past November, we witnessed a vote that united people across ideologies, geography, and party lines: the vote to retain Washington's Capital Gains Tax. Across the state - and across Washington's diverse political constellation - it's clear that there is broad support for taxing Washington's super-rich. Right now, our system for funding education hits hardest on those who have the least. No matter where we come from or what our color, religion, or background, we want the best for our kids. We want to see robust action in Olympia for common-sense solutions to our state's broken and unfair revenue system. We want functional, adequately-funded schools. This is not just a moral argument, nor is it merely based on the care and concern we have for the children we work with every day. It's also an economic argument: we know that investment in schools now saves us expense in the long run. Children that receive a solid public education are better able to survive and thrive in tomorrow's economy than those who attend schools that limp along on underfunded programs. Our legislators should listen to the majority and shift the burden of school funding from working people to Washington's super-wealthy individuals and corporations.