‘Subject to appropriations.”

That line precedes every recommendation in the Washington Learns report on improving education in Washington state. The report is like a shiny new car without an engine. Looks great. Goes nowhere.

The report was 18 months in the making and is brimming with promising ideas: All-day kindergarten, beefing up math and science instruction, widening professional development and training, increasing accountability, to name a few. But rather than tackle the funding mechanism, the committee and Gov. Chris Gregoire chose to make that the subject of yet another lengthy study. Never mind that the Legislature intended for funding to be addressed in the current report.

It’s not surprising that the state’s leaders would bypass the funding conundrum. They’ve done so for a long time. Even the current education model, which has been deemed inadequate, isn’t fully funded. School districts have to float levies to help cover the basics. When the voters say no, inequality expands.

It’s disappointing that our leaders blinked in attempting to fulfill what the state constitution calls the paramount duty of government: providing funding for basic education. Such inaction has forced school districts to file lawsuits. Spokane Public Schools joined a lawsuit calling for increased special education funds. Federal Way just filed a lawsuit claiming the state has ignored its long-standing complaint that education isn’t equitably funded.

The public has made it clear that it wants more spent on education. Voters adopted initiatives 728 and 732, which were aimed at classroom size and teacher pay, only to see both measures undercut when the Legislature refused to provide the funding. At the time, lawmakers had little choice because the budget was facing a major shortfall.

But they had a duty to come up with a long-term solution and failed to follow through. Now the Class of 2008 faces a crisis in math achievement as time slips away.

Washingtonians have waited long enough for a funding solution. Another two years of study is unacceptable. Perhaps the state needs to follow the advice of Rep. Glenn Anderson, R-Fall City, who served on the Washington Learns committee and is calling for the state to establish a definitive education budget before figuring out how to pay for everything else.

It makes sense to address the constitutional mandate before moving on the rest of the state’s priorities. The tactic of expecting local districts to fill the gaps is unfair and inherently inequitable. Students shouldn’t be at the mercy of local voters for basic education needs.

No decision is going to be popular, and it’s silly to think that further study will produce a magic solution that satisfies all parties.

In fact, it’s easy to see that the state either needs to raise taxes, change its tax code or cut spending elsewhere. But, apparently, leaders find it difficult to even admit that.

A top-notch education system is the key to Washington state’s future. We can’t get there without the money. Now is the time to find it.