Locke Considers Asking Legislators to Cancel School Pay Raises

Concerned about an estimated $1.6 billion shortfall in the state budget, Governor Gary Locke has hinted he might ask state legislators to consider eliminating cost-of-living raises for state workers and, if necessary, for teachers and other public school employees. It would take only a simple majority vote by the Legislature to cancel state worker raises, but public school and most two-year college workers are guaranteed annual pay raises by Initiative 732. Any change would have to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate.

The governor also has ordered an immediate freeze on hiring and equipment purchases and restrictions on travel.
The state’s budget problems are a result of a combination of lower tax collections and increased costs, particularly in state health care programs.

Reacting to the proposal to cancel voter-approved pay raises for teachers and other school employees, Washington Education Association president Charles Hasse argued that if pay increases are canceled the Legislature also should suspend WASL testing. The WEA reasoned that it is unfair to hold students and teachers to higher standards without providing the resources they need.

Legislators are discussing several options to make up the shortfall, including possible combinations of cuts to state programs, along with tax and fee increases.