Diana Cieslak - Judge Erlick demands that the Legislature perform an impossible task: to identify to the dollar a single number that represents the exact cost per student of basic education. There is no one-size-fits-all answer in any area of education including funding.

Diana Cieslak - Judge Erlick presupposes that every education dollar is well spent—a claim few teachers would make.

Diana Cieslak - Rather than proving a relationship between increased spending and better student performance, experts fear the negative impact of plaintiff victories on quality education.

Diana Cieslak - Judge Erlick demands that the Legislature perform an impossible task: to identify to the dollar a single number that represents the exact cost per student of basic education. There is no one-size-fits-all answer in any area of education including funding.

Scott Roberts - Last night SeaTac did the "right thing" and dropped their eminent domain action against James and Dorris Cassan. The Cassans have had to defend themselves against the City of SeaTac who have been trying to take their land under a condemnation action since September of last year. It's very expensive for citizens to defend themselves against this type of government encroachment. This case clearly underscores the need for eminent domain reform in Washington.

Scott Roberts - The foundation of our free market enterprise is property ownership. The incentive for hard work is embedded in property. When governments can come along at a whim and take property at any time, you lose that incentive. In addition to the property owner's loss, there's a message you send out to the community. That message is: "don't work hard, don't put your legacy into property because at anytime we can come along and take it."

Scott Roberts - There are two bills before our legislature that address eminent domain reform. One of those bills specifically limits the use of eminent domain for economic development. It is wrong to use eminent domain for anything other than a strict public use. Fortunately, the SeaTac Council didn't need a refinement of our laws to know the difference between right and wrong. They made the right decision by dropping their condemnation action against the Cassans last night.

Scott Roberts - We are pleased with the City of SeaTac's decision last night and we're glad to have helped the Cassans. It is our sincere hope that other municipalities around Washington carefully consider the consequences of condemnation actions. Reckless abuse of eminent domain laws harm people like the Cassans.