‘Now you’re lobbying’: Reykdal and Jake spar over federal scholarship tax credit, girls’ sports initiative

Washington’s State Superintendent Chris Reykdal is urging Gov. Bob Ferguson not to opt Washington into a new federal scholarship tax credit. He and KIRO host Jake Skorheim clashed over whether the state is giving up money that could help families.

“My advice to the governor has been very clear. I sent him a letter, and I’ve said it publicly, and I’ll say it here again. Do not opt into this thing right now,” Reykdal said on “The Jake and Spike Show” on KIRO Newsradio.

Reykdal also called for more state money for schools and spoke about an initiative on girls’ sports that will appear on the ballot.

Reykdal argues schools are underfunded

Reykdal explained that his recent Seattle Times op-ed focused on getting the Legislature to fully cover basic school costs, such as insurance and utility bills.

“The legislature’s supposed to pay for that, and when they don’t, districts unfortunately have to cut programming aimed to support students,” Reykdal said.

He noted that schools get about 42% of the state’s general budget. Meeting the state’s constitutional obligation would take about 43% or 44%, according to Reykdal, who added that the share once peaked at 52%.

Jake cited figures showing per-student spending rising from about $13,775 in 2012 to about $19,163 in 2024-25. Reykdal countered that the higher figure is not adjusted for inflation.

“Incomes have gone up, but adjusted for inflation per student, we are down, and that is a serious risk to our schools,” Reykdal said.

Jake pressed Reykdal on how schools could improve if the state did not give them more money. Reykdal pushed back on comparing the state to a family budget, arguing that the constitution requires a certain level of funding. Still, he pointed to Washington’s standing.

“We have five states in this country that are statistically outperforming us in reading by eighth grade. Only five, and there are 14 in math,” Reykdal said. “So we definitely have some work to do in math.”

He described districts weighing school consolidations, administrative cuts and reductions in student mental health services to protect classrooms.

KIRO host Spike O’Neill asked how much of a district’s budget is beyond its control. Reykdal explained that teachers, librarians, counselors and other staff typically make up 80% to 82% of school budgets. The rest goes to costs such as insurance, bus fuel, food and curriculum.

“But think about 18% of our costs are completely outside of their control,” Reykdal said.

Jake and Reykdal spar over tax credit

Jake pointed out that 31 other states, including New York and Colorado, have opted into the federal scholarship tax credit.

Reykdal argued the program would cost about $1 billion in Washington if 25% of residents participate. He contended that Congress could have spent that money on special education.

“So when people say it doesn’t cost anything, that’s a billion dollars we didn’t fund special ed with,” Reykdal said.

He explained that taxpayers would donate to nonprofits and claim a credit the following year. In his view, the structure exists to send public money to private schools.

“It is the only way where they can divert taxpayer money to fund private school tuition for families,” Reykdal said.

Jake defended the program as a way to give families options. He noted that Spike’s kids went to private school and that one of his own children attends one.

“Isn’t that good for people to have choices?” Jake said.

Reykdal praised Washington’s private schools but objected to the direction of the conversation.

“Well, now you’re lobbying, so we can lobby if you want,” Reykdal said. “We can debate.”

“I’m debating you,” Jake responded. “I’m asking you, why is that a bad thing? Kathy Hochul says, ‘After a careful review of the federal regulations, we believe this program has the potential to bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without taking a single dollar from public schools or our state or local budgets.’ Where is she wrong?”

“She’s wrong because that money in New York could have gone to fund special ed or tutoring for kids in public schools,” Reykdal replied. “It may or may not now, but it could have directly been appropriated. It immediately took money away.”

‘It’s a no right now’: Reykdal defends waiting a year

Spike agreed with Reykdal’s concerns about public funding for private schools but wondered whether opting in would at least bring back money the state had already lost.

“Is this a way to get some of it back?” Spike said.

Reykdal described his position as a delay rather than a rejection. He wants Washington to wait a year while Congress adds income limits and targets the money toward students who are struggling.

“So it’s not a no; it’s a no right now because it is so poorly written,” Reykdal said.

Jake didn’t buy it.

“This is money that is going to be gone in Washington State, and you’re basically saying, ‘Let’s just let that out the door this year because you don’t like politics in D.C.,'” Jake said.

“That’s not an accurate statement either,” Reykdal responded.

Reykdal argued that donors can’t control where their money goes once they give it to a nonprofit.

“There’s no framework on it, which is why we’re saying let’s wait a year, let’s get more shape around this, and let’s not do what Arizona did, which is basically pass taxpayer money to private institutions, and now they’re bankrupting their state with it,” he said.

“I think we’re going to disagree on this one,” Jake replied.

Reykdal calls girls’ sports initiative unnecessary

Jake asked about I-638 and about Camas High School runners who forfeited a recent cross-country race rather than run against a transgender athlete. Jake explained the athlete had competed on the boys’ team earlier in the season.

“Well, my take on the initiative is it’s unnecessary,” Reykdal said.

Reykdal noted that his office had not received a formal complaint about the Camas case. He backed the girls’ right to protest.

“And they’ve walked off the field, and they’re willing to take that risk, which is their First Amendment right. I’ve met with families on both sides of this issue, and I respect that,” Reykdal said.

Drawing on his experience raising a daughter who played sports, Reykdal described the choice facing the girls.

“You’re going to compete and do the best you can, and embrace your colleagues, or you’re going to walk off and make a statement, and that’s OK too,” Reykdal said.

Jake asked whether the race was fair to the girls.

“I don’t see it that way, Jake. I just don’t,” Reykdal said.

Spike shared his perspective as a parent.

“I’m a father of a trans child, and I love my son, and I think trans rights are important,” Spike said. “I think it’s given far too much attention. It’s being used to manipulate the public.”

While Spike sympathized with parents who want to protect their daughters, he argued that cases like the one in Camas hurt the transgender community.

“I think sometimes when a kid who’s the 72nd runner in the boys division then is competing in the girls and finishing second, I think it does that community more harm than good at the sake of just a handful of students,” Spike said.

Asked for his recommendation on the initiative, Reykdal urged voters to reject all three initiatives on the ballot.

“You should be no on all three initiatives and let your elected representatives make laws,” Reykdal said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to “The Jake and Spike Show” weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. on KIRO Newsradio 97.3