Kennewick Schools $68M bond (construction, public schools, maintenance)

[j_k_k]

I was amazed when I got the mailer for this. First thought: "They sent this same proposal out once and it failed. I expected them to trim it down, make it more realistic, and try again. Instead, they just sent the same thing voters rejected the first time. They must think I'm pretty stupid."

On the one hand, I can see some of their logic. Construction work is cheaper now, maintenance now is indeed cheaper than maintenance later, and interest rates are low for the bonds. Fiscally, it's not stupid, just extravagant.

On the other hand, these are the same people who so arrogantly decided to switch to 4-year M&O levies rather than 2-year; they just didn't want to have to be as accountable as often. These are also the people who cheered really hard for the simple majority legislation, which was directed at taking the skeptical/questioning voter base out of play. (Any school anything will get about 50% just for showing up. 35% of the population or so is sure to vote against anything tax-related no matter what. The other 15% are the questioners, the thinkers whose support is swayable but not certain. Having to satisfy them with logic and reason is so tiresome.)

Had they come back with a somewhat more modest bond, I'd have reconsidered. As it stands, they have said and done nothing to change my previous 'no' vote, and I'm going to repeat it.

[M3 Mitch]

Yeah, I hear you. They deserve to go down and then see if some of the bums can't be thrown out next election.

If throwing money at public schools worked, Washington DC would have really excellent schools. They spend big coin on the schools, but they are poorly managed, and are a disgrace really.

[tcres]

You can vote no... but the need will not go away.

[M3 Mitch]

They can learn to budget and manage, like I said the problem does not go away if you throw money at it.