The levy-swap concept, in which state lawmakers would take local levy funds in return for lower local property tax rates, is being debated in Olympia as one way to increase state funding for public education under the McCleary decision.

Chris Vance has a guest piece in The Seattle Times that discusses the idea.  Chris is well-positioned to understand all sides of the issue.  He is, as the Times notes, a past chair of the state Republican party, and today he works as a consultant for Democratic Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn.  Many people find the levy-swap concept confusing, and bit concerning because of the impact it would have on local funding for local schools.  This op-ed provides a good overview of the idea as it is debated in Olympia.