Originally Posted by texasdiver

The state is constrained in its ability to raise revenue in any kind of progressive manner by the constitutional prohibition on an income tax. Without that, there isn't much they can do for education except mess around with business and sales taxes and force some redistribution of property taxes. But those half-measures will only take you so far.

Washington actually has the least progressive tax structure in the entire nation by some measures. You can't solve this problem without

Originally Posted by texasdiver

I'm a teacher who moved to Vancouver from TX 2 years ago. I'm currently between schools so not involved in this strike directly. But I can give a direct comparison between the two states and how they pay teachers.

Cost of Living? Vancouver is 30-50% higher depending on the item. Housing is at least 50% higher. Food/Gas and everything else is somewhat higher, maybe 10%.

Teacher salaries? I got a small raise (about $5,000) moving from TX to WA for same position/education/years

Originally Posted by texasdiver

If anyone out there has a good recommendation for a realtor in the Vancouver/Camas area feel free to shoot me a private message. My wife and I may be shopping for a new home in the area before too long and it would be nice to find someone competent and knowledgable about the area to work with. Especially someone who is knowledgable about the local schools as we have 3 school age kids.