A statement released Saturday by the Washington state Democratic Party falsely describes the political support behind Initiative 1351, the unfunded ballot measure intended to reduce class sizes.

The statement says “As Democrats, we are united” in supporting strong schools and educational opportunities then adds in bold lettering,  “That’s why Democrats support Initiative 1351 to reduce class size for every child, in every grade.”

This statement is simply wrong.  Democrats are not united in support of I-1351.  In fact a number of leading Democrats say they oppose it, including Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Wells, Sen. Jamie Pedersen, Rep. Reuven Carlyle, Rep. Judy Clibborn, Rep. Tana Senn and Rep. Ross Hunter.  At a meeting on 2014 endorsements, the 43rd District Democrats in Seattle declined to support I-1351.

Opposition is bi-partisan, the state Republican Party opposes I-1351, as does the non-partisan League of Education Voters.  Major newspapers, The Seattle Times, Tacoma News Tribune, The Spokesman Review, The Columbian and The Tri-City Herald, also oppose I-1351.

The dispute over Initiative 1351 between the WEA union and prominent elected Democrats represents a significant split within the political coalition of the Left.  The WEA union is one of the most powerful political forces in the state and devotes the vast majority of its campaign giving to Democratic candidates.  For important Democratic officials to express dissent on one of the WEA’s key policy projects is unusual, to say the least.

WEA executives are spending $1.5 million to promote Initiative 1351, and they expect a return on their investment.  State law says public school teachers must pay the WEA union or be fired.  Individual payments average around $1,000 a year.  Initiative 1351 is expected to generate about $7.4 million in new profits for the WEA executives, on top of the roughly $33 million they collect now.

More on the effects of the initiative are provided in Washington Policy Center analysis “Citizens’ Guide to Initiative 1351” and its executive summary.