Islanders can come together to support a millionaires tax for kids and families | Letters
Published 3:44 pm Monday, March 16, 2026
Support a millionaires tax for kids and families
It’s Monday and mid-winter break has just ended as I sit with a group of 2nd grade literacy students. They excitedly share about their vacation experiences to London, Spain or ski vacations at major resorts. It’s a reminder that families on Mercer Island care deeply about giving their children the very best experiences. Here’s something we can do together to ensure every child has access to opportunity: support a millionaires tax.
Washington has one of the most upside-down tax systems in the nation. Teachers like me often pay a higher percentage of our income in state and local taxes than the multi-millionaires and billionaires who also call our state home. This imbalance affects our schools. Even after the state Supreme Court’s McCleary v. Washington ruling helped improve education funding, the state still lacks stable revenue to fully support our students.
Before McCleary, many educators struggled just to keep up with rising costs. Some years my insurance premiums rose faster than my small annual raises, meaning I earned less each year. While salaries have improved, we still face challenges recruiting and retaining educators, especially young teachers, BIPOC educators, special education teachers and para-educators.
Our district should also be able to pay classified staff a living wage so they don’t need multiple jobs to get by. Many staff members commute long distances from places like Maple Valley, Snoqualmie, Renton, or Granite Falls because living closer isn’t affordable. To attract and keep talented educators, we must remain competitive with neighboring districts.
Mercer Island is proud of its excellent schools, but behind the scenes administrators are constantly trying to make the numbers work, protecting valued programs while supporting students and staff. There is a fundamental gap between what the state provides and what communities expect for their children’s education. Because funding is unstable, districts are sometimes forced to lay off talented educators and cancel popular programs families value just to stay financially stable.
If we want Mercer Island schools to remain among the best in the state, we need sustainable funding. A millionaires tax would help fix our regressive tax code while investing in students and families.
Most of us want the same things for our families and our community. We value beautiful parks, safe roads, strong public schools, and access to affordable child care — the foundations of a thriving place to live. By working together and ensuring that those who have benefited the most from our state’s prosperity contribute their fair share, we can continue investing in the public resources that make our community strong for everyone.
In my 15 years teaching on Mercer Island, I’ve worked in three of our four elementary schools. I love helping kids discover the joy of learning. Fourth and fifth graders, especially, are inspiring. They’re beginning to think deeply about the world, developing their voices and their sense of responsibility. Yet they still carry something powerful: a sense of wonder and a belief that they can make a difference.
Let’s prove them right. Islanders can come together to support policies that reflect our values — fairness, opportunity, and strong public schools — and ensure that everyone contributes what they truly owe.
Sally Loeser, Mercer Island
