Gates Foundation Coordinates Efforts to Defy Washington Supreme Court
As the corporate reform project begins to fray around the edges, one of the main sponsors is resorting to more overtly political tactics.
The Gates Foundation is ostensibly a charitable enterprise, and enjoys significant tax benefits as a result of this status. Bill Gates himself described the organization’s work a year ago as “R & D,” and asserted that they stay out of the political process. But two cases from opposite sides of the country show the Gates Foundation playing a growing role in the political process, especially when their most prized strategies are in danger.
The first case is in the Gates Foundation’s home state of Washington. Full credit for the investigation that reveals the facts that follow goes to Dora Taylor, and intrepid parent activist and blogger in Seattle.
Expanding the reach of charter schools has been a central focus of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation for years. The Gates Foundation has provided millions of dollars to districts willing to sign onto something called the “Gates Compact.” With this agreement, the school districts agree to embrace the expansion of charter schools within their domain, and in exchange get millions from the Gates Foundation.
In spite of this support, charter schools have been a contentious issue in Washington state. Voters rejected Gates Foundation Coordinates Efforts to Defy Washington Supreme Court - Living in Dialogue:
