Baumgartner ducking issue

Again and again, Sen. Michael Baumgartner demonstrates how inadequate he is as a leader. His latest attack on public education is an obvious attempt to distract voters and abrogate his duties as a lawmaker. This legislative session presents a real opportunity to fully fund our public schools and protect all students, programs and the professionals who care for them.

Instead, the senator is trying to gut funding, privatize our school systems and pivot from what is clearly the paramount duty of our Legislature. His latest scheme to amend our state constitution by eliminating the “paramount duty” clause would enable legislators to abandon efforts to fully fund public education and appropriate funds toward private charter schools.

Beyond questioning the wisdom of our state framers, Sen. Baumgartner would abandon our kids to an uncertain future. Instead of rolling up his sleeves and getting down to the people’s business, Sen. Baumgartner continues to avoid hard decisions. The people are watching, and the decision to find more courageous leaders will be ours to make soon enough.

Paul Schneider

Spokane