Can you feel Olympia's fingers reaching into your wallet yet again? The Legislature is considering Senate Bill 6442 (and its companion, House Bill 2724) authorizing a state takeover of K-12 educators' health benefit plan. It would provide no cost savings and add more than $21.5 million in new taxpayer costs for start up, and $7.1 million per year. But wait, don't we need to make cuts to balance the budget? Does this make sense? Where will the money come from?

The state says the current K-12 health care system needs significant improvements. Currently, educators cost the state $82 less per employee than a state employee, yet K-12 employees get coverage that is as good or better than what state employees receive. Does this sound like it needs improvement?

It's hard to believe that our legislators would think that eliminating competition and expanding state government is a good idea! SB6442 adds another costly function to the state bureaucracy at a time when vital funding for K-12 education and other services is being cut. Health care funding should pay for health care, not growth in state bureaucracy.

Tell your legislators to stay out of K-12 health care! Call or write today.

Kathy Marquard, Burbank