‘The Math Isn’t Mathing’: Radio Hosts discuss the staggering $1.3 billion Seattle Education Levy

Reposted by Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin
MyNorthwest.com

Seattle voters are being asked to dig even deeper to replace the expiring Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy. The new levy would cost homeowners a staggering $1.3 billion — double the size of the current levy of $619 million.

The owner of a $1.08 million Seattle home would pay around $656 a year, up $400. KIRO host Ursula Reutin said that while she normally votes yes, this is too much.

“My issue is, and I am typically a yes voter. My kids are out of the school-age thing, they’re done, and I have shared that, even though my kids were in private school, I always voted yes for school levies, because I believe in investing in our kids and in our schools. The thing that just irks me is that the costs keep going higher and higher,” she said on “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

The majority of the money would go to early learning, doubling subsidized child care slots. But KIRO Newsradio producer Andrew Lanier broke down the math.

“There’s $155 million that would go towards creating 800 additional subsidized child care slots. That’s $194,000 per child. There’s also $452.6 million for 600 kids to go to Seattle preschool. That is $754,000 per child. So, Ursula, at an average of $434,000 for 1,400 kids. Is that an investment you want to make?” he asked.

“As set up by what you just said? No,” Ursula replied.

Andrew noted that if the city gave out $2,000 a month to people through vouchers for child care, the city would be able to fund child care and preschool for 25,000 kids at the same price tag, as opposed to 1,400.

“The math isn’t mathing,” Ursula responded.

KIRO host opposes staggering $1.3 billion education levy

Seattle voters face a new education levy to replace the expiring FEPP Levy, costing taxpayers significantly more.

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