Giving up tax breaks to help kids. The tech industry has a new role in Washington state — as the poster child for education reform.

But if the industry truly wants to improve schools, it should give up some of its tax breaks and ask the state to invest that money in education instead.

I saw previews of a new public-private lobbying partnership last week at business luncheons featuring Gov. Christine Gregoire and Microsoft’s chief lawyer, Brad Smith.

Both argued that the state’s leadership in technology is threatened by its underfunded and inadequate education system.

"We need to focus not only on quantity but on quality so that we have the kind of world-class education and research system that will keep this area competitive throughout the 21st century," Smith told the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

By Brier Dudley

Seattle Times staff columnist

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