Letter to the Editor:

To the Editor:

On his Facebook page and in comments to the press, Rep. Matt Manweller commented on July 1 that Democrats were “inebriated” in the legislative building and the media were nowhere to be found at 3 a.m. when the state budget fell apart. Since then, Republicans, Democrats and the Olympia press corps alike have debunked his assertions.

What is a more serious issue for the citizens of this state is that some legislators do not plan to fully fund education and do not believe that they have to obey the State Supreme Court’s decision in McCleary (2012). So said Rep. Tom Dent on May 19 when he spoke to the Grant County Democrats.

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the State of Washington is violating the constitutional rights of children by failing to live up to its “paramount duty” to amply fund the education of all K-12 students.

It is unfortunate that our legislators are still in contempt of the State Supreme Court. This is an affront to every citizen in the state, Democrat and Republican alike. Even in this third special session of the legislature, our legislators are choosing not to fully meet the requirements of the State Supreme Court and the State Constitution.

It remains to be seen whether our State’s elected officials will work together and, within 15 days of adjournment, submit an amply funded education plan to the State Supreme Court.

I urge your readers to contact their legislators and demand that they promptly uphold the State Constitution, comply with the order of the State Supreme Court and do right by the children.

Duane Pitts

Moses Lake