But it, like, costs money. So someone will call us Communists for wanting it.

When they said "efficient" government, they meant "free."

Raise your property tax Seattle. It's time.

For you, and Washington State.

Rescind the covenants on property tax!

Head Start doesn't have certified teachers in the classrooms in the Seattle Public Schools. Unfortunately, the money just isn't there. And there aren't enough Head Start spots to serve all of the children who already need them here. I would LOVE to see Pre-K classes in every public elementary school in Seattle, but funding them will be difficult... especially since the federal government wants states to start funding their own programs and move away from Head Start.

@2 It will most likely be paid for via a property tax levy. But stop talking out of your ass about covenants and shit. Seattleites pay near the maximum regular levy rate state law allows, and approve almost every special levy and lid lift that comes our way.

I would gladly pay a property tax increase for this. This is exactly the type of shit we should raise taxes for; it benefits the entire community.

#4

Ha! Maximum allowed by the state is trivial compared to other states...especially states that demand premium government services.

Try reading some of the informational material and links to actual state documents (like the WA Constitution) that have been posted countless times, before name calling, or even worse, rolling along like a rusty old truck, deaf to the world.

#5

Yeah, but I've seen these "tear jerker" programs used by greedy locals to subvert property tax and use it to raise sales taxes, fees or add income taxes...all the while they lay back on the untaxed 20 acres of million dollar land.

Honestly, this is just another feel good moment on the part of the city council....who I might add, represents everybody but nobody.... however it is the Seattle School District that is going to call the shots here and their board and super already have enough to deal with.

Lastly, you would likely have more success starting a preschool for dogs in this berg. There are certainly more dogs running around than kids these days.

@9
Of course Seattle Public Schools would run it SPS is a huge entity in this city. It is the city's largest land holder and as a consequence has immense power well understood by the city council......who spend 90% of their time focused on and dealing with land issues.

@8 I'd bet the school district would not run the program. It would receive grants from the city for its own preschool programs, which as I've explained, would cover a fraction of the preschoolers served in the city.

@6 We've been through this before. A) Seattle can't legally raise regular property tax levies above its statutory ceiling, or beyond the I-747 imposed limit on annual increases in levy dollars. B) Even though our property tax rates are relatively low, our property values are relatively high. As a percentage of median income, our property bills here are rather middling.

@12, right. Ask someone who's come from the East Coast about whether they think property taxes here are high; they'll laugh in your face.

#13

My point exactly. These Washington con artists have it all worked out.

They want the people with educations to pay for it all, while they sit on their acreage and assets and drive around in duellies.

@13 That's exactly it. For example, my friend bought a comparable home to mine in the city we grew up Long Island and pays over 8k. I live in south Seattle, get a ton more services, and pay a third of that. And I never met a levy I didn't like.

@11. Goldy, I'm sorry but I don't know who the "It" is that you indicate would receive grants from the city for its own preschool program.

Physical facilities would be required that meet standards, transportation, teachers, staff, materials, food prep, etc.,etc., etc. The only readily available entity able to provide those facilities on a city-wide basis is Seattle Public Schools.

Of course the Port of Seattle has 3 or 4 cruise ship terminals that pretty much sit empty 7 months out of the year and might be utilized, however busing preschoolers from all parts to the city to the waterfront is likely not the best use of the kid's time...........written with tongue firmly planted in cheek,,,,,

good idea. seems easier to have uni students and grads than certified pros so that you can have way more staff for da money. a lot of what kids need is very basic

Please do not back unionize preschool teachers. They are professionals and need to be treated as such. Unfortunately this is not the history of the teachers' union. Please!