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Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Group files signatures for pair of school initiatives

P-I STAFF

Supporters of two Seattle school-funding property-tax initiatives have filed more than 27,000 voter signatures for each measure, hoping to earn spots on the fall ballot.

The group needs about 18,000 valid Seattle voter signatures for each initiative to qualify. The measures, backed by the Seattle teachers' union, aim to raise $40 million a year. Money from Initiative 87 would be used to reduce class sizes, provide free all-day kindergarten and restore arts and music programs. Initiative 88 would raise the levy lid in Seattle beginning in 2008.

Under both proposals, homeowners would pay about 39 cents per $1,000 assessed value, or about $156 on the average $400,000 house. The six-year levy would bring in about $240 million total.

The city has filed a King County Superior Court suit against I-87, claiming the measure violates state law because it does not allow the mayor and City Council to determine how the money would be spent.

Mayor Greg Nickels has criticized the proposal because the district would increase spending on new programs and teachers when it faces budget gaps.

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