(The Center Square) – A renewal of Seattle’s expiring education levy faces a final vote from the city council after a do-pass recommendation by the Select Committee on Thursday.
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell proposed the renewal of the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise, or FEPP, Levy, with a focus on funding childcare in the city to ease the financial burden on lower-income families. In total, the $1.3 billion tax would fund early learning, childcare, and post-secondary preparation programs over six years, from 2026 to 2032.
The proposed levy establishes a rate of 72 cents per $1,000 assessed value after amendments were added on Thursday. If passed, it would cost the owner of a median assessed value Seattle home of $955,000 about $678 a year. or 92% more than the $353 that homeowner will pay toward the levy this year.
“This renewal will help more kids than ever before; these investments have made and will make meaningful long-lasting positive differences in the lives of kids,” Seattle City Councilmember Maritza Rivera said during Thursday’s Select Committee meeting.
Rivera added that students have serious needs, citing data from the Annie E. Cassie Foundation, which revealed that 68% of fourth graders were not proficient in reading and 70% of eighth graders were not proficient in math last year.
The levy rate increased from Harrell’s proposed 71 cent per $1,000 to 72 cents after Seattle City Councilmember Dan Strauss’ amendment to add $4.1 million in expected revenues generated by the FEPP Levy was passed by a 5-3 vote. This additional revenue would allow for the restoration of nine positions for an environmental learning program focused on youth.
Seattle City Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck proposed three amendments to the levy that increase its rate by one cent each, but none passed.
Seattle City Councilmember Cathy Moore was staunchly against any increase to the levy rate because the proposal already doubles generated revenue over six years.
Past FEPP levies have drawn criticism from fiscal watchdogs, including the Washington Policy Center, which stated that the tax did not significantly raise test scores, reduce the achievement gap, increase graduation rates, or make every student college-ready in 2018 when the current levy was on the ballot.
Ultimately, the levy was approved by 68% of voters.
Harrell celebrated the bill’s unanimous do-pass recommendation in a statement, showing signs that the levy renewal is likely to face Seattle voters this November.
“This levy is a transformative investment in Seattle’s youth and families and will open doors to opportunity so kids from every neighborhood in our city can reach their full potential and thrive in the classroom and beyond,” Harrell said following the bill’s passage out of committee.
If the Seattle City Council approves the FEPP education levy renewal proposal, it is expected to be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot for Seattle voters to consider.
