Issaquah Education Association supports House Bill 2049 for student levy increase

The Senate Ways & Means Committee convened on April 23, 2025, to discuss several significant legislative measures, including House Bill 2,049, which seeks to increase levy authority for the Issaquah School District, and House Bill 2,047, which proposes the elimination of the Washington Employee Ownership Program.

During the meeting, Darona Uzzle, president of the Issaquah Education Association, advocated for House Bill 2,049, emphasizing the need for an additional $6 million in levy authority. Uzzle highlighted that this funding is essential for maintaining staffing and educational programs, particularly for vulnerable students at Echo Glen School. She urged the committee to support the bill to ensure equitable access to quality education for all students.

The committee then shifted focus to House Bill 2,047, which aims to repeal the Washington Employee Ownership Program established in 2023. Trevor Press, a staff member of the committee, provided a detailed overview of the bill, noting that it would shorten the period for tax credits related to employee ownership and eliminate the program entirely. The Department of Revenue estimates that this repeal could save the state approximately $1.9 million in the upcoming biennium.

However, the proposal faced strong opposition from various stakeholders during public testimony. Steve Storkin, executive director of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network, argued that repealing the program would hinder Washington's ability to secure federal funding for employee ownership initiatives. Other opponents, including Jack Moriarty and Patricia Kwan, stressed that employee ownership fosters job security, builds wealth in communities, and supports local economies. They warned that eliminating the program could lead to job losses and reduced tax revenues.

Several testimonies highlighted the importance of employee ownership in preserving businesses and creating sustainable economic opportunities. Advocates urged the committee to reconsider the repeal, emphasizing the program's potential to benefit workers and communities alike.

The meeting concluded with a call for further discussion on House Bill 14,98, which relates to domestic violence co-responder programs, indicating that the committee's work on critical social issues continues. The outcomes of these discussions will have significant implications for education funding and employee ownership in Washington State.