As a Washington state resident, I am signing this petition to urge my elected officials to maintain current funding levels for our K-12 and higher education systems.

Washington currently faces an estimated $2.6 billion deficit. Halfway through the current budget cycle, legislators will have to make tough decisions about how to solve this problem.

In these tough economic times, we should invest in education to prepare our students for the jobs of the future. Washington students cannot be left behind in today's ever-changing global economy.

In 2009, the Legislature cut $800 million from K-12, and an additional $600 million from higher education. Our elected officials also voted to suspend voter-approved initiatives for lower class sizes and cost of living increases for teachers. Students at our colleges and universities were asked to foot increased tuition bills by as much as 30%.

Further cuts to education will jeopardize quality of instruction and opportunities for our students to gain the skills needed to enter the workforce.

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