Dunshee: Let's create jobs by fixing schools and colleges

The Washington Works Act would mean up to 90,000 jobs  

April 6, 2009

KEY LINKS: The Washington Works Act (PDF), K-12 Referendum Distribution (PDF), Big 3 Summary (PDF)

OLYMPIA -- While the entire world suffers an economic downtown, is there anything we can do to help create jobs here in Washington state.

Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, introduced legislation -- The Washington Works Act -- to create 90,000 jobs in every corner of the state to (1) fix health and safety problems at schools such as mold and lead pipes and (2) retrofit and modernize schools, colleges and other public buildings to be more energy efficient, financing the jobs by using monthly energy savings, as the state does now with some state buildings on a small scale.

"Some people want to hunker down, to sit on their hands and do nothing," Dunshee said. "I believe all those people out there who lost their job -- or are afraid they could get laid off tomorrow -- want us to do something, to fight our way out of this global recession. I believe we can do something, and that's the reason for The Washington Works Act."

The plan would raise $3 billion, with some of that financing coming from the energy savings and the rest in bonds. Here's a partial breakdown of the projects:
• $2 billion in K-12, with every school district receiving funds
• $286 million for community and technical colleges
• $79.1 million at the University of Washington
• $45.7 million at Washington State University
• $25 million at Western Washington University
• $19.1 million at Eastern Washington University
• $18.8 million at Central Washington University
• $8.6 million at The Evergreen State College

"This is an economic booster," Dunshee said. "It would put a lot of people -- up to 90,000 -- to work doing something worthwhile: fixing our schools and colleges."

Dunshee pointed out estimates from economists that 40,000 people lost their jobs in Washington state in 2008 and an estimated 40,000 more workers will get pink slips in 2009.

"Some people will say that this is idea is too big and too bold," Dunshee said. "The Great Depression teaches us that sitting on our hands, as Hoover did, only prolongs your economic misery. FDR got us out of the Depression by putting people to work, and many of our greatest investments -- public buildings and dams, parks and airports -- were built then, when everybody said it couldn't be done. This is big. It is bold. And it's the right thing to do for all the working moms and dads in this state who've lost their jobs and for every fourth grade kid trying to learn in a moldy classroom."

Among the speakers at the Monday press conference about The Washington Works Act:
• Randy Dorn, State Superintendent of Public Schools
• Doug Moore, president of McKinstry Co., which does energy efficiency work
• Stan Price, executive director of Northwest Energy Efficiency Council
• Vaughn Sherman, Edmonds Community College Board of Trustees
• Jennifer Aspelund, parent of a child who was in a mold-infested classroom
• Denise Frisino, a former teacher who worked in mold-infested classrooms

Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, talks to the capitol press corps about The Washington Works Act, which would create up to 90,000 jobs fixing schools, colleges and public buildings.

Jennifer Aspelund holds photos of a mold-infested Seattle school. To her right is former teacher Denise Frisino, who said she suffered health problems due to mold in her classroom.