SPOKANE, Wash. — For the first time in 12 years, a new governor will be elected in Washington State this November.
Voters have a choice between two men with very different approaches on how to address issues the state faces.
They even differ on their approach to ensuring your kids have the best education possible.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ferguson and Reichert discuss child care and small businesses during second WA gubernatorial debate
Wednesday night, both candidates touched on this topic at the second gubernatorial debate here in Spokane. The debate was hosted by Nonstop Local KHQ, Nonstop Local KNDU/KNDO, the Association of Washington Business and Greater Spokane Inc.
While this was only a small part of the debate both candidates have a plan on how they’d improve the state’s education system.
“I would love to start some Head Start programs that really focus on people who are interested in the medical field, in the mental health professional field, EMTs, paramedics, teachers, even law enforcement,” said Republican candidate Dave Reichert.
The candidates also discussed how to fund your child’s education.
“We need to be frugal with your tax dollars,” said Democratic candidate Bob Ferguson. “We need to prioritize your tax dollars. Education will be an absolute key for me as governor.”
Ferguson has a page on his website dedicated to his education plan. Here are a few priorities listed:
Reduce class sizes and fully fund special educationInvest in more school nurses, counselors and social workersExpand early childhood learning and implement universal pre-k
Reichert’s campaign addresses the issue of students leaving public schools due to the pandemic. His plan includes:
Never reverting to a one-size-fits-all round of lockdowns, closures and mandatesMaking every school in the state safe and secureRestoring parents’ voices
“Parents want choice,” Reichert said. “They want to have a better education for their children. We need to give them the opportunity to choose the schools they want to go to and their tax dollars follow them to the schools that they choose to send their children to.”
Ferguson on the other hand opposes that view, saying that’s a voucher system.
“Taking public dollars away from our public education system and sending those public tax dollars to unaccountable private schools, that makes our budget problem much worse,” Ferguson said.
You can find where Reichert stands on important issues, like education, here. For Ferguson’s education plan, click here.
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