Prevent lawmaker salary increases
Prevent lawmakers from raising their salaries until balanced budget is passed.
Browse Ideas with tag 'budget':
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I agree
Voting is Disabled545 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »9 comments for Idea: Prevent lawmaker salary increases -
I agree
Voting is Disabled
245 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Bring this website back yearly (or keep it up year round)
This website has been a tremendous success so far. 1,750 ideas posted, 3,984 comments, 108k votes, 3,552 users. If we make this a yearly thing it could get more people thinking about politics and engaged in the future of our state. I don't know how much it costs to run this, but it seems like the think tank concept has been working so far. There have been some great ideas and I can only imagine the longer it is up ...more »
5 comments for Idea: Bring this website back yearly (or keep it up year round)This website has been a tremendous success so far. 1,750 ideas posted, 3,984 comments, 108k votes, 3,552 users. If we make this a yearly thing it could get more people thinking about politics and engaged in the future of our state.
I don't know how much it costs to run this, but it seems like the think tank concept has been working so far. There have been some great ideas and I can only imagine the longer it is up the better the results will be.
Maybe consider leaving it up year round and resetting the results every year or legislative session (keeping a backlog of past years in an archive on the website for perusal).
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108 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Require budget accountability
Every State agency and office needs to be required to justify their existence and budget annually. They should report how many people were served, how much was spent per person, and how they could improve their efficiency. Even offices that don't serve the public directly could provide this sort of information. How many times was this database accessed? How did your work support the ability of other agencies to do their ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Require budget accountabilityEvery State agency and office needs to be required to justify their existence and budget annually. They should report how many people were served, how much was spent per person, and how they could improve their efficiency. Even offices that don't serve the public directly could provide this sort of information. How many times was this database accessed? How did your work support the ability of other agencies to do their jobs?
The state auditor's office could provide people to help with these reports and others to review them and make recommendations on what offices could be elimitated, merged with other offices, or contracted out in the form of grants to nonprofits who could do the same thing for less.
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Voting is Disabled
84 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Performance evaluations and budget accountability
Add your comment for Idea: Performance evaluations and budget accountabilityEvery supervisor needs to have reducing the budget as a key area in their performance evaluation. Those who most effectively find ways to reduce costs and cut waste get the highest marks. This needs to be done at every level, not just the executives.
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52 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »1970 vs 2010
Zero Based Budgeting using 10 year step backs Take a look at the 2000 budget vs 2010. Any new program created since 2000 should be evaluated for necessity and cut as possible. Take a look at 1990 to 2000 and cut again. Take a look at 1980 to 1990 and cut again. Take a look at 1970 to 1980 and cut again. We have GOT to evaluate program necessity in the context of what we've contracted with ourselves for the state ...more »
1 comment for Idea: 1970 vs 2010Zero Based Budgeting using 10 year step backs
Take a look at the 2000 budget vs 2010. Any new program created since 2000 should be evaluated for necessity and cut as possible.
Take a look at 1990 to 2000 and cut again.
Take a look at 1980 to 1990 and cut again.
Take a look at 1970 to 1980 and cut again.
We have GOT to evaluate program necessity in the context of what we've contracted with ourselves for the state government to provide in the last 40 years.
We need to get back to determining 'MUST have' vs 'NICE to have' and a ZBB time based review provides an interesting look at what we've decided is important.
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44 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Shrink the size of State Government
When economies shrink good government shrinks as well. According to Washington's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) the state has added the equivelant (FTE) of 5700 additional full-time state jobs to the payrolls just since Governor Gregoire took office. This roughly equates to about $240 Million in new spending each year vs the time period just prior to Governor Gregoire. The taxpayers of our state can not ...more »
3 comments for Idea: Shrink the size of State GovernmentWhen economies shrink good government shrinks as well. According to Washington's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR) the state has added the equivelant (FTE) of 5700 additional full-time state jobs to the payrolls just since Governor Gregoire took office. This roughly equates to about $240 Million in new spending each year vs the time period just prior to Governor Gregoire. The taxpayers of our state can not afford to to pay higher taxes in order to support a bloating and burgeoning government. It must learn to provide necessary services more efficiently and competitively.
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39 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Purchase Savings
Eliminate contracts with vendors. Our state agency spends significantly more money for products due to our exclusive vendor contracts than we should. We have had to buy the simpliest items, pencils and pen, up to computers and monitors for prices significantly higher than we would if we just purchased it at a store or through Amazon. It is insane that we cannot purchase items like regular consumers and get things at fair ...more »
1 comment for Idea: Purchase SavingsEliminate contracts with vendors. Our state agency spends significantly more money for products due to our exclusive vendor contracts than we should. We have had to buy the simpliest items, pencils and pen, up to computers and monitors for prices significantly higher than we would if we just purchased it at a store or through Amazon. It is insane that we cannot purchase items like regular consumers and get things at fair market value vs. being forced to purchase something through a vendor due to a state contract.
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35 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »End PERS 2
4 comments for Idea: End PERS 2I suggest we end PERS 2 for any new state employees. Simply match a certain percentage of a state employees contribution to their retirement fund (403B), like most private businesses do.
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32 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Setting Priorities Isn't That Difficult
When individuals are forced to cut their personal budgets, establishing a priority of their expenses is not that difficult. For most individuals/families, the rent/mortgage, utility bills, food, and any on-going medical treatment/Rx's usually rank #1. After that, expenses for entertainment, eating out, unnecessary clothing, unnecessary personal care items, etc. are pretty easy to identify. Why is it then that my city, ...more »
4 comments for Idea: Setting Priorities Isn't That DifficultWhen individuals are forced to cut their personal budgets, establishing a priority of their expenses is not that difficult. For most individuals/families, the rent/mortgage, utility bills, food, and any on-going medical treatment/Rx's usually rank #1. After that, expenses for entertainment, eating out, unnecessary clothing, unnecessary personal care items, etc. are pretty easy to identify. Why is it then that my city, state and federal governments have such difficulty when it comes to cutting??? I'm sorry, but not all budget items are created equal - there are plenty of "nice-to-haves" in the budget that, during these times, should be cut NOW. Each item, when passed, should have a priority number assigned to it. Then, there's no questions as to what will be cut when cuts have to be made. I expect MY government to spend MY money as wisely as I have to spend my own.
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Voting is Disabled
30 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Create a budget
Add your comment for Idea: Create a budgetCreate a budget using the amount of money that the state received in the previous year. This way the state knows exactly how much funds it has and it bases the budget on this. If the state recieved less money than what it expected then the state should cut progams. All programs would get the same cut across the board.
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I agree
Voting is Disabled
25 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Revoke Native American Tax Free NonSense.
3 comments for Idea: Revoke Native American Tax Free NonSense.Revoke the Native American Tax Exempt non-sense. the Natives have plenty of Money to Balance the Budget. and they Burn up our roads & resources just as bad as any other white folk.
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17 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Balance the Budget
Add your comment for Idea: Balance the BudgetBalance the budget. Apply health care reforms and salary reductions equally to legislators and citizens.
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Voting is Disabled
12 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Three ideas to shift dollars from school bureaucracies to classrooms
1. Save $1.47 billion by cutting education programs that can't prove they are raising student achievement: Compensatory Education, $947 million, Other Instruction $133 million, Community Service $54 million, and 25 % of Districtwide Support, $339 million. 2.Remember that 83% of school district spending is on salaries and benefits, or $8.1billion out of a total $10 billion. A ten percent salary and benefit reduction ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Three ideas to shift dollars from school bureaucracies to classrooms1. Save $1.47 billion by cutting education programs that can't prove they are raising student achievement: Compensatory Education, $947 million, Other Instruction $133 million, Community Service $54 million, and 25 % of Districtwide Support, $339 million.
2.Remember that 83% of school district spending is on salaries and benefits, or $8.1billion out of a total $10 billion. A ten percent salary and benefit reduction would save nearly $1 billion and cost no one their job.
3.Yet this would preserve the current system that delivers less than 59 cents of every dollar to the classroom. Requiring school districts to make 25% across the board cuts, with 15% in expenditure reductions and 10% reallocated to schools, would shift resources from bureaucracies to schools.
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Voting is Disabled
12 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Public Safety »Criminal Justice Training Center Budget
Add your comment for Idea: Criminal Justice Training Center Budgetnot give CJTC a 40% budget increase.
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I agree
Voting is Disabled
11 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »thieves
one of the things you can do is stop letting contractors rip off city and state departments, eample 14st bridge in south park they estimate a hundred million well the bridge is made out of steel and concrete not computer chips not gold not uranium etc these contarctors are gouging they charge for everything they may pay an employee 25 dollars an hour but are charging you 200 to 500 dollars per for there labor so essential ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: thievesone of the things you can do is stop letting contractors rip off city and state departments, eample 14st bridge in south park they estimate a hundred million well the bridge is made out of steel and concrete not computer chips not gold not uranium etc these contarctors are gouging they charge for everything they may pay an employee 25 dollars an hour but are charging you 200 to 500 dollars per for there labor so essential you all the employees wages plus a huge profit and they charge you for everthing materials gas whatever they can think of and its parbally triple if not more do this send one of upper managemnet to a concrete company and say hey i need ten yards of concrete in my back yard i am making a patio etc whatever so they give him the price per yard and they deliver to no look at that price compared to what the contarcotrs are going to charge you a a yard o concrete and its the same with anything else they charge you for its going to be triple if not more like i said they will probally chharge anywhere from 150 dollars or more per employee per to the bill when in reality they will pay most of the workers anywhere from 10 to 35 dollars an hour depending on the skill level thats what they pay everday like a guy that just shovels dirt or sweeps up tehy may pay 15 to 25 dollars an hour but will charge you 150 t0 250 dollars per hour per person get my drift now its like they put in some trafiic lights up in north seattle at some corner they charged like 25'000 per light,,,, get it its a light its a tall pole with light on it the material for the if i mad it myself maybe 1thousand dollars so get my drift ? there is the reason why your over budget and thats just one thing there are many others but you have let people get so comfortable its unbelivable oh we buy this we build this but hey no money so what do you do you try and tax more with ever dropping the taxes again its constant obvisously you are only concerned with the people around you a governor should take into account for future generations but that is not being down at all ther are so many good ideas out ther ebut obvisouly the lobbyist have the upper hand and contarctors who can buy favors or give them
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11 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Allow parents to save the state money with educational alternatives
Allow parents to save the state money by encouraging the use of educational alternatives such as homeschooling, online learning, and private schooling. The primary cost in the state budget is for public education, and yet there are thousands of parents with children currently in the public school system who would gladly save the state money by utilizing educational alternatives if there were a small incentive. My wife ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Allow parents to save the state money with educational alternativesAllow parents to save the state money by encouraging the use of educational alternatives such as homeschooling, online learning, and private schooling.
The primary cost in the state budget is for public education, and yet there are thousands of parents with children currently in the public school system who would gladly save the state money by utilizing educational alternatives if there were a small incentive.
My wife and I have home-schooled six children saving the state over $35,000 a year, and we did it without an incentive which is not easy because books and materials still cost money.
However, I believe that many more parents would be glad to do as we have done if there was some help in the form of a small credit on their property taxes or sales taxes.
Every new parent who utilizes an educational alternative would save the state budget something on the order of $4,500. And I think all the state needs to do is offer them a small credit on the order of ~$500 per child per year.
The program could be limited to new student withdrawals only for ten years to insure a positive impact on the budget and the public school system. That won't help me but that's OK.
If the state is not willing to allow a parent to save the state ~$4000, then I think they are letting their biases cloud their judgment and they are clearly not serious about reducing the state's budget deficit.
There may be details to work out, but the concept is a total win-win from a parent and state budget perspective and is fiscally sound.
Any opposition to the idea is likely to be more ideological than monetary, but we can't afford to let our biases stop us from saving money at this time.
Thank You,
Craig L. Williams
Vancouver, WA
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8 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Use the Popular ideas on this board! Listen to the public
Add your comment for Idea: Use the Popular ideas on this board! Listen to the publicI suggest you take the popular ideas on this board and USE THEM. I hate to think that all these ideas are just a way for the State to make the public think we have a voice but no plan to utilize these great ideas. So use the ideas that are popular and make sense!
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I agree
Voting is Disabled
5 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Cut Spending
Add your comment for Idea: Cut SpendingCut back equally on every item in the budget until the deficit is gone.
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I agree
Voting is Disabled
5 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Create a statewide ortal for secure information for all state contracted providers accessable through the www.access.wa.gov webs
Create a secure portal similar to www.onehealthport.com. This would create a resource for all state contracted providers to access one secure server for needed information. It would also reduce the amount of administrative time and resources to validate each provider (Tax ID number). We currently require a new security certificate/password for each state program even within the same agency which is expensive and an ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Create a statewide ortal for secure information for all state contracted providers accessable through the www.access.wa.gov websCreate a secure portal similar to www.onehealthport.com. This would create a resource for all state contracted providers to access one secure server for needed information. It would also reduce the amount of administrative time and resources to validate each provider (Tax ID number). We currently require a new security certificate/password for each state program even within the same agency which is expensive and an inefficient use of agency resources.
This would also be an advantage as we move forward with health care reform and the possibility of one application for all state medical benefits. Here's an example, most state contracted providers must apply for an NPI number and use Provider One services, while other agencies and programs throughout the state including DOH and HCA use separate secure servers/portals/security certificates for the same type of services for the exact same providers. While ProviderOne should encompass all DSHS services, other agencies require programs within the agency to independently administer and support similar web related services.
Some state agencies are having to reduce services, allowable payments, contracts and staffing due to budget crisis. It would be disappointing to have the uninsured/underinsured population and state employees take another cut to help reduce state expenses.
I believe that this type of resources would be beneficial for budget savings, community relationships and consistent use of secure data throughout the state.
Carri
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4 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Fund state obligations
Add your comment for Idea: Fund state obligationsDevelop a plan to get current on budget obligations such as pension plans. The economy has reset. The state must fund it obligations.
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Voting is Disabled
4 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Eliminate the Apple Health Care Program
Eliminate the Apple Health Care program. A family of four making $66,150.00 a year pays no more than $60 a month in premiums. A family of 6 making $88,590.00 a year pays no more than $60 a month in premiums. If you make this kind of money you can afford to purchase healthcare thru your employer the state should not subsidize these families. If you are low income there are many other programs availabe such as medicaid. ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Eliminate the Apple Health Care ProgramEliminate the Apple Health Care program. A family of four making $66,150.00 a year pays no more than $60 a month in premiums. A family of 6 making $88,590.00 a year pays no more than $60 a month in premiums. If you make this kind of money you can afford to purchase healthcare thru your employer the state should not subsidize these families. If you are low income there are many other programs availabe such as medicaid. Under Obama's healthcare reform eyeryone will have insurance which makes this program redundant. I would rather see this program cut and the funds used elsewhere.
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4 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Set up $1,000 per 1Kw solar power buying program
Set up program to allow every state citizen to buy ~$1,000 for 1Kw worth of solar PV system + 1 iPod Touch. The Touch can be charged with the panel, of course. A power monitor could be the alternative tech package. The money is spent up front, and the panels come in 6-8 weeks. Big bulk discount ensues when massive buys are scheduled. Immediate financial boost for that fiscal qtr, saving some budget items slated for ...more »
2 comments for Idea: Set up $1,000 per 1Kw solar power buying programSet up program to allow every state citizen to buy ~$1,000 for 1Kw worth of solar PV system + 1 iPod Touch.
The Touch can be charged with the panel, of course. A power monitor could be the alternative tech package. The money is spent up front, and the panels come in 6-8 weeks. Big bulk discount ensues when massive buys are scheduled. Immediate financial boost for that fiscal qtr, saving some budget items slated for shutoff.
State carbon footprint plummets, allowing state to sell Renewable Energy Credits. Jobs created immediately in manufacturing, installation, consulting, energy efficiency audits and retrofits.
The touch or energy monitor dashboard app (cheap to develop, maybe $10k total) which connects to Seattle City Light via CarbonContest, Google Power Meter or Microsoft Hohm to monitor your current household power load, compare to past bills, see how much energy you use vs neighbors. SCALLOPS groups compete for "most energy productive community".
Since the panels create consistent clean power for between 15-30 years, State can take out a loan against the production value. State doesn't even have to buy the panels (avoiding law about public-private gain), just arrange for the sale and gather the buyers. Some money goes to the State, but only to pay for program costs.
With many households just needing a small nudge to go big into solar, this kick-starts bigger projects. Current 6658 solar community law is enhanced by group buy. Manageable, Smart, Grid-Aware Private and District scale power grids can now be tested and optimized across the state.
Eastern WA farmers get theirs first, using them to power irrigation pumps and sprinklers. Scheduled buys are known to buying group and solar mfr, staggered to allow adequate training programs to come online.
Big state buildings, festivals, and parks get discounts powering lights, pumps, power instead of noisy, polluting diesel generators.
$1,000/kw is extremely discounted on the face, but the rest of the cost is defrayed over time with power production instead of money. System pays literally for itself, then continues over its 20 yr average lifespan, paying against utility costs or paying back.
Solar installers from California might be needed to install the first round, but state can facilitate training programs through Community Colleges, Universities, Vocational-Tech, and military reserve connections.
You can take the panels home, or you can buy them for use a public space with your name or custom message on them. Like Pike Place floor tiles. You still get all current incentives either way, with a bit higher incentive if you install as groups on municipal property (maximizing the 6658 incentive payback).
When paid off in 10-15 years, you can donate power production to favorite cause, take panel home, or renegotiate terms.
Chunk of the up-front sales proceeds used to bolster low-income/disadvantaged fund for energy efficiency programs.
Group discounts when buying 1,000 kw or more, of course. Use the discount to give to the general service fund, causes, or to buy more power.
$1,000 per 1000 watts is a simple calculation number to use, making a lot of the math much more clear to average folks just trying to do the right thing by the planet.
Of course, you can buy more than $1,000, that's just the break-even minimum. The more power you buy, the cheaper the up front per-watt cost, and the bigger hedge against inexorable future energy hikes.
No tax on the exchange to the customer, State takes the tax against income for itself perhaps. Dollar amount must be in $1,000 increments.
Alternately, use the ARRA stimulus money slated for renewable energy to buy the first panels pledged, or use as matching funds, or use as a loan for people to get FREE $1,000 worth of solar power that they pay back with their long-term lease to own program.
Many more implications result from "letting" people buy their own solar power in smaller increments as a platform for bigger systems.
The program will very quickly create the opportunity for the State to also become Carbon Neutral or Carbon Negative in short order without govt overhead or long red-tape delays.
The program would be simple to oversee, since the state is just facilitating the buy rather than doing the installations. Money goes directly to pay for panels rather than set up expensive program. Politically Neutral idea, leans Independent-Libertarian if at all. Capitalism pays directly for Public and Private Good.
Aaron Campbell Energy,
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1 vote
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »Semi-Privatize Education
Education makes up over 38% and $27 billion of the State's current budget. A quality education is also a common characteristic of high income earners and business leaders - those targeted for a potential state income tax in the fall. Utilize high-school and university students seeking internships (we're approaching fall semester) to solicit WA state individuals who fall into the proposed State income tax thresholds, ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Semi-Privatize EducationEducation makes up over 38% and $27 billion of the State's current budget. A quality education is also a common characteristic of high income earners and business leaders - those targeted for a potential state income tax in the fall.
Utilize high-school and university students seeking internships (we're approaching fall semester) to solicit WA state individuals who fall into the proposed State income tax thresholds, as well as all Statewide businesses, for contributions to a local school within the county of their residence.
Announce that you will be doing this along with eliminating an income tax proposition from the ballot.
Allow contributing companies to advertise (in moderation and watchdogged) within the schools and recognize the individual contributors in an honorable manner within the school regardless of donation size.
Invite contributors to tour the school and to PTA and school board meetings.
Run a telethon and promote this government changing event. Giving people ownership promotes pride. You will see individuals of all income levels contribute, and companies will compete to have their sponsored school recognized as having the most assets for the kids and supplying a wonderful environment to foster learning.
Include a B&O Tax easement or reduction for companies who make a school-changing contribution.
The interns will get an opportunity to develop their sales skills (a skill every independent business owner and job seeker needs). Corporations will see a small tax benefit, but feel an even greater sense of pride in their philanthropy, as well as impress favorably upon a future workforce, helping to groom the employees and entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
No matter our income levels or ethnic backgrounds, I have yet to meet an adult who wouldn't give what they could to help a child. It's amazing how hard we solicit others for money come campaign time and how much is actually contributed. Imagine what we could do if the same type of effort and similar thought process was put in place for the education of our children.
Just imagine that...and getting $27 billion off the books.
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-2 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Economic Development »Budget problems create opportunities to redirect education dollars to classrooms
To redirect resources to the classroom, districts can be told to make 25% across-the-board reductions to spending, and to redirect 10% of this spending to the classroom, achieving budget savings of $1.5 billion and redirecting $1 billion to the classroom. $10 billion is spent on public education in Washington. 83% of expenditures are on salaries and benefits. Only 47% of Washington's public school employees are ...more »
Add your comment for Idea: Budget problems create opportunities to redirect education dollars to classroomsTo redirect resources to the classroom, districts can be told to make 25% across-the-board reductions to spending, and to redirect 10% of this spending to the classroom, achieving budget savings of $1.5 billion and redirecting $1 billion to the classroom.
$10 billion is spent on public education in Washington. 83% of expenditures are on salaries and benefits. Only 47% of
Washington's public school employees are classroom teachers. Over the last ten years, districts have staffed up on certified non-teachers, such as social workers, counselors, nurses, librarians, math specialists, and the like. Growth in number of classified employees (secretaries, aides, operators, bus drivers, etc) has also been substantial.
Some employees are necessary to retain, some are not, and school principals, not district bureaucrats, should be allowed to make these decisions so that resources can be redirected to the classroom instead of continuing to amply fund school district bureaucracies.
An alternative to layoffs is to cancel salary and benefit increases given school employees over the past five years.
Another way to save $1.47 billion is to cut Compensatory Education, Programs 51-69, $947 million, Other Instruction, Programs 71-79, $133 million, Community Service, Programs 81, 86, 88, 89, for $54 million, and 25% of District Wide Support, Program 97, or $337 million. Unless districts can show that these program expenditures are directly related to improving student achievement, which they cannot, they could be eliminated. This leaves intact Basic Education, Special Education, Vocational Education, Food Services and Transportation.
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-8 votes
I disagreeThis idea is active.Effective Government »How to generate income and use money wisely
Add your comment for Idea: How to generate income and use money wisely(Income tax), (Invest state owned/managed pensions, fund, and idle budget money, in state bonds to lower the interest), (State bank).
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