Washington lawmakers must embrace true reform, compromise and, possibly, a modest sales tax increase to solve budget crisis

WASHINGTON state cannot afford to gamble with spending on higher education. Lawmakers, who meet for a special session beginning Monday, must reject Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposed $160 million cut to colleges and universities.

That is a nonstarter. No more cuts to higher education, as we said on this page a week ago. Not a penny and certainly do not subject higher education to the whims of recession-weary voters — as the governor is proposing with a half-penny-per-dollar sales tax increase to restore those cuts and others.