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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Washington Legislature. Austin Jenkins is the Olympia correspondent for the Northwest News Network. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) weekly public affairs program "Inside Olympia."

Inslee Offers Sympathy As Washington Teachers Walk Out

Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network files
File photo. Washington Governor Jay Inslee says he understands teachers' frustration over pay raises and class size.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said he doesn’t approve of one-day walkouts by teachers, but the Democrat also said he understands their frustration over pay raises and class size.

“And I think this is not an unanticipated reaction to years of neglect of not educating our kids, and so I guess I could understand it although I can’t approve it and I’m going to look forward to the legislature getting its job done on a bipartisan fashion to adequate resource our schools,” the governor said.

Inslee made his comments following a bill signing ceremony Wednesday at the Capitol.

Thousands of Washington teachers walked out Wednesday in protest over education funding and proposed state budgets. More walkouts are planned for later this week.

Meanwhile, budget talks have stalled in Olympia.

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."