Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Double down? City proposes expanding education levy

Double down? City proposes expanding education levy
Double down? City proposes expanding education levy

Will people in Seattle agree to nearly double the amount of taxes they're paying to continue and expand the Families and Education Levy, a city push to increase children's school readiness and performance?

Mayor Mike McGinn and City Councilmembers believe they will. The mayor on Tuesday announced the $231 million, seven-year levy (Click here for details). If the idea is approved by voters in November, the average household would pay about $134 a year in property taxes. This measure would replace one approved in 2004, a $117 million levy that cost the average household about $65 a year.

"We have a very significant achievement gap in this city," McGinn told reporters. "This is something we can have an impact on...the goal of the levy is for all